NACADA has warned the youth that using Marijuana, locally known as Bhang, is still illegal despite the buzz created by Roots Party presidential candidate George Wajackoyah’s sensational manifesto.
While quoting the Roots Party presidential candidate whose campaign manifesto targeted legalizing marijuana farming in Kenya if he’s elected head of state, the NACADA boss proclaimed that Marijuana remains illegal.
Okioma threatened persecution for Marijuana users if caught using the drug.
“Our position is very simple; that the anti-narcotic and psychotropic substances act is still active in this country, and those young people who will be persuaded by politicians’ pronouncements into offences around that act will face the law,” said Okioma on Wednesday.
The NACADA CEO also called out Wajackoyah for misleading Kenyans on Marijuana policies that do not apply in Kenya, but rather in other countries where it is legal.
“Wajackoyah is not being truthful and is not giving enough information. You can’t say Uganda has legalized marijuana and not say that it has legalized production for pharmaceuticals under very strict controls,” he stated.
“South Africa has legalized recreational cannabis but you cannot take it in public, it is an offence and you will be arrested. Even in the European countries and the US where it is legalized, they have very strict controls.”
If elected as the next Kenyan President next week, Wajackoyah and his running mate Justina Wamae target to make Marijuana legal in Kenya for trade and export purposes and not for recreational purposes.
Since Roots Party’s political debates around legalizing marijuana as a presidential manifesto gained popularity, the organization has taken the initiative to remind the youth of the illegality of the plant.
A report by the World Drugs released last year, indicated that teenagers in the country are massively affected by the narcotic drug, which NACADA confirms is broadly abused and causing vast effects.
“Data from a national survey conducted in 2017 showed that at least 1% of the country’s population aged between 15-65 years are current users of cannabis. Kenya has continued to suffer the devastating effects of cannabis as its abuse is on the rise, particularly amongst the youth,” NACADA stated.
“A survey conducted in 2019 to assess emerging trends in the abuse of drugs and substances of abuse showed overwhelming evidence on the abuse of cannabis in the form of cookies, candies and other forms of confectioneries.”
In addition, NACADA also emphasized the negative health effects of Marijuana among them being; Addiction, respiratory diseases (lung cancer), cardiovascular conditions such as stroke, mental illnesses, and impaired psychomotor skills and cognitive functions.
