INDIAN HEMP; ITS USAGE AND LAW GOVERNING IT IN NIGERIA

Everything God created is good; Indian Hemp is not an exception. Its usage is what determines if it is good, bad, harmful or prohibited.

One of the common drugs used in Nigeria is Indian hemp despite the fact that it is a criminal offence to be in possession of this narcotic drug, the government’s effort to stop people from using it based on its effect on people’s health and conduct has over years proved abortive because it is a drug with common usage between the literate, illiterate, civilians and military personnel making it more difficult to nail down the importers and exporters of this dangerous drug.

Ganja as popularly called is not without its advantage as we have earlier said everything God created is good and for purpose, Indian hemp is used for pharmaceutical products, it is used for cream as it repair split end and damaged hair but that does not mean one should buy it and mix in cream because if caught it attract a jail term which shall be discussed below. It has to be adequately processed for it to be used for the above mentioned purposes.

Indian hemp has been found through research to prevent some health disorder like gonorrhea ,insomnia, digestive disorder, nervous disorder, chemotherapy induced vomiting to mention a few, please note that the fact that it is used for the above mentioned health disorder does not mean you should buy and use it, it must be strictly used under a doctor’s supervision or prescription .

The law governing the Indian hemp in Nigeria is the Nigerian Indian hemp Act, Indian hemp is described under this act as any plant or part of plant of genius cannabis.

The law by virtue of section 2(1)of the Indian Hemp Act any person who knowingly plants or cultivate any plant of cannabis shall be guilty of an offence and liable to conviction to be sentenced either to death or to imprisonment or a term not less than twenty one years, this is also the same incase of any person who export Indian hemp.

And to those who pass me the ganja (smokes) or knowingly has any Indian hemp in his/her possession shall be guilty and liable on conviction for four years imprisonment without an option of fine.

This shall not apply to the possession of any medical preparation of Indian hemp in circumstance such that no offence against the dangerous drug is committed but this must be done legally. A medical doctor or pharmacist caught in possession of Indian hemp does not quality for medical preparation described under this act.

As a landlord, it is important we know what our tenants are using our premises for, any person who being the occupier of any premises, permits those premises to be used as for selling of Indian hemp, smoking, preparing Indian hemp for smoking shall be liable for a term not less than ten years without an option of fines.

To parents who pay little or no attention to their wards, leaving them on the street allowing their ‘street brothers’ send them on errand,if your child is caught in possession of  Indian hemp such child shall be sentenced to two years in a borstal and twenty one strokes of the cane.

Wives/ Girlfriends who watch, encourages, follows their boyfriends /husband to buy or keep Indian hemp with then shall also be liable on conviction for twenty one years imprisonment, it is immaterial that you don’t smoke it, being in possession is sufficient.

Thank you.

Oyenike Alliyu-Adebiyi LLB(hons)BL