The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), has clarified that the agency is not opposed to the controlled export of cannabis oil but remains firmly against its domestic use in Nigeria.
Marwa stated this while addressing participants at a stakeholders’ workshop themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria”, organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science, NAS, in Abuja on Wednesday.
In a statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Marwa explained that while the agency recognises the potential medicinal value of cannabis oil, its local consumption could pose serious health and social risks.
“At NDLEA, our position on cannabis oil is simple: we welcome dialogue,” he said.
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“We believe Nigeria must make informed choices, not decisions driven by half-truths, commercial interests or global trends.”
The NDLEA boss said although cannabis oil may have medicinal benefits worth exploring, it also carries health risks and the potential for misuse. He emphasised the need for policymakers, scientists, and medical experts to carefully weigh the evidence before making any policy decision.
“Let me assure you that NDLEA is not opposed to science, nor are we indifferent to innovation,” he stated.
“What we insist on is caution. Policy must protect lives, safeguard public health, and strengthen—not weaken—our fight against drug abuse.”
Marwa said the agency would support the idea of controlled export of cannabis oil to countries that have approved its medical use, but insisted that such exports must be strictly licensed and monitored by the NDLEA.
“We are not opposed to the idea of exporting the oil to those who desire it,” he said.
“However, such activity must be located only within export free zones and be properly regulated to prevent abuse.”
The NDLEA chief stressed that cannabis was not just another agricultural product but a substance with complex medical, social, and economic implications.
“For decades, the debate has been one-sided,” he said.
“Advocates often highlight the supposed benefits of cannabis oil while its risks are glossed over. This is why NDLEA commissioned an ongoing study on cannabis oil through the Nigerian Academy of Science.”
Marwa warned that Nigeria’s high rate of drug abuse made it imperative to approach the cannabis debate with caution and balance. He cited data from the 2018 National Drug Use Survey showing that 10.6 million Nigerians use cannabis, representing a 14.4 percent prevalence rate—more than double the global average of 5.6 percent.
“Evidence shows that cannabis and its extracts can have adverse effects on mental health, especially among young people,” he said.
“Prolonged or uncontrolled use has been linked to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and addiction.”
He also noted that the lack of standardised production and regulation in many countries has led to the sale of cannabis oil products of inconsistent potency, often contaminated or misused outside medical supervision.
“While cannabis oil may have medical potential, its dangers are real,” Marwa added.
“These risks must be addressed with strong safeguards before any policy shift is considered.”
The NDLEA boss further disclosed that the agency had introduced an Alternative Development Project in 2023 to address illicit drug cultivation and reduce the socio-economic factors driving people into illegal drug economies.
“The Alternative Development Project will focus on reducing the vulnerabilities of ignorance, poverty, hunger, and unemployment that push people into illicit drug cultivation,” he explained.
“We aim to empower communities with skills and sustainable livelihoods.”
According to Marwa, illicit drug cultivation not only fuels organised crime but also displaces food crop farming in several Nigerian communities, worsening poverty and food insecurity.
In his welcome address, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Professor Abubakar Sambo, represented by the Vice President, Professor Friday Okonofua, said the workshop was convened to reach an evidence-based consensus on cannabis oil use in Nigeria.
“At the end of this process, we expect a consensus document that will help guide the country’s position on the use of cannabis oil,” Okonofua said.
Chairman of the NAS study committee on cannabis oil, Professor Musbau Akanbi, commended the NDLEA for seeking scientific guidance before formulating policy.
“The legalisation of cannabis oil implies large-scale cultivation of cannabis,” he said.
“Hence, our committee has reviewed global studies and practices to present reliable evidence.”
Also speaking, Professor Oye Gureje, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences, and Substance Abuse, University of Ibadan, said existing research indicates that while cannabis may have limited medical use, its widespread recreational use poses significant mental health risks.
“Cumulative evidence shows that cannabis may have some therapeutic value,” Gureje said.
“However, uncontrolled use increases the risk of psychosis and may moderately affect public health.”
The event brought together scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the country to examine Nigeria’s policy direction on cannabis oil use, with participants agreeing on the need for caution, research, and regulation before any legalisation is considered.
