NACADA; Politicians To Stop Misleading Kenyans On Legalizing Bhang

Politicians around the nation have been advised by the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to stop misleading the public about marijuana.

According to a press release from NACADA, it is impossible to ignore the effects of Cannabis Sativa, also known as bhang, which is why it is still illegal to consume in the nation.

“Let be known that the law is still in force and that anyone contravening this law i.e. being in possession or trading in cannabis will be apprehended,” read the statement.

“During the electioneering period and prior, there have been calls for legalization of cannabis for recreational use. It is noted that some of the statements made in favour of legalization are misleading as they are intended to elicit excitements amongst the people, especially the youth.”

The state company said that teens in the nation are primarily affected by the narcotic drug, which NACADA claims is extensively abused and has enormous impacts. It cited a World Drug Report research that was published last year.

“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 the same vein, NACADA emphasized some of the detrimental health impacts of marijuana, including susceptibility to addiction, respiratory disorders (lung cancer), cardiovascular diseases like stroke, mental illnesses, reduced psychomotor and cognitive abilities, and cardiovascular conditions.

NACADA continued by highlighting some of the most important fallacious claims that the company keeps making and that have resulted in more instances of illegal trafficking and arrests. Among the assertions debunked by the Authority are those that cannabis will be legalized after the 2020 election, that most nations have already legalized cannabis, and that legalizing cannabis will solely have beneficial impacts.

Another “false” claim against which NACADA issued a warning is that cannabis cannot be obtained for scientific and medical purposes.

Following the emergence of Roots Party presidential candidate George Wajackoyah in the State House contest, the debate over marijuana legalization in Kenya has picked up steam. The legalization of hemp is the main goal outlined in Wajackoyah’s recently released manifesto. He sees this as the best approach to change the economy and pay off the nation’s mounting debt.

Following his declaration, which received a range of responses from the public, religious leaders and other key players have come up to denounce his manifesto, claiming it will harm future ethics and health.

Africa Check has since refuted Wajackoyah’s economic analysis of marijuana after concluding that it is illogical.