Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Mr. Akin Olotu, has explained why the state is taking the lead for cannabis cultivation to be legalised across the country.
Olotu said the legalisation of cannabis cultivation for medical purposes would boost revenue in Ondo because the state has been rated as the largest grower of cannabis in Africa.
He said the round table discussion organised by the state in collaboration with other bodies is to explore opportunities in medical cannabis.
Olotu, who spoke at a briefing to herald the round table discussion, said members of the House of Representatives have keyed into opportunities available in medical cannabis.
He said farmers illegally cultivating cannabis would be trained on new opportunities with a view to transforming the state’s economy as well as creating thousands of jobs.
According to him: “This is the trend globally and many countries are advancing towards medical cannabis. Ondo State is blessed with the resources to gain from cannabis cultivation.
Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who spoke virtually, said it becomes imperative for Nigeria to review the legislation prohibiting the farming and production of Cannabis for medical and industrial use.
Kalu said industrial hemp was a viable prospect for the country’s economic diversification efforts.
He expressed optimism passage of the Dangerous Drugs Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020, would usher in a new era on medicinal cannabis from production processing and distribution.
Sources: The Nation