The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed support for the controlled and regulated export of cannabis oil while maintaining opposition to its local consumption in Nigeria.
Buba Marwa, chairman and chief executive officer of NDLEA, spoke during a stakeholders’ workshop themed ‘Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria’, organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja on Wednesday.
Marwa welcomed the ongoing dialogue on cannabis oil, but emphasised the need for informed decisions free from half-truths and commercial interests.
“Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, but it also carries health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety,” he said.
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He noted that NDLEA is not opposed to science or innovation, but insists on caution to protect lives and public health.
Marwa said the agency would support the controlled export of cannabis oil to countries that permit its therapeutic use, provided such activities are strictly licensed and monitored within export free zones.
He said Nigeria has one of the highest rates of cannabis misuse worldwide, with a 14.4 percent substance abuse prevalence rate compared to the global average of 5.6 percent.
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He warned of the adverse mental health effects linked to cannabis use, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment, particularly among young people.
“In a country like Nigeria, which is already contending with a high burden of drug abuse, it is imperative that we approach this matter with sobriety, clarity, and balance,” he said.
“Till today, much of the public debate highlights the potential therapeutic uses of cannabis oil and the commercial value of its export. What about the risks?
“Evidence shows that cannabis, including its oil extracts, can have adverse effects on mental health, especially among young people. The prolonged or uncontrolled use of cannabis and its extracts is linked to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment.”
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Marwa also raised concerns about the lack of standardised production and regulation in many countries, which leads to variable product potency and misuse outside medical supervision.
He said as part of efforts to address illicit drug cultivation and production, NDLEA introduced the alternative development project in 2023, aimed at reducing vulnerabilities such as poverty and unemployment that drive illicit economies.
The workshop featured remarks from Abubakar Sambo, president of the Nigerian Academy of Science, who stressed the importance of evidence-based consensus on cannabis use in Nigeria.
“At the end of the day, we’ll have evidence-based consensus work, which will be properly documented that will lead us to decide what we should be doing regarding the use of cannabis in this country,” he said.
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