Senator Achonu Backs Cannabis Legalisation for Medical and Economic Use.
Former senator and Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 Imo election, Athan Nneji Achonu, says the National Assembly is working on a bill to legalise cannabis for medicinal and economic use.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Achonu urged the federal government to embrace the move, warning that Nigeria is “sleeping on a multi-trillion-naira opportunity” while other nations advance.
Describing cannabis as “green gold,” he recalled sponsoring a similar bill in the Senate that failed because “Nigerians chose to demonise its usage.” He revealed that lawmakers are now pushing for legislation with strict regulation to prevent abuse.
Achonu argued that legalisation could diversify the economy, create jobs, attract foreign investment, and boost medical research.
“The global legal cannabis market is projected to exceed $100 billion before the end of this decade,” he said. “Nigeria has the right climate, fertile soil, and manpower to dominate this industry. Instead, we are watching others build wealth while we cling to outdated prohibitions. The time to act is now.”
He added that a regulated cannabis industry could generate tax revenue, increase exports, and provide treatments for chronic illnesses like epilepsy and cancer.
Beyond cannabis, Achonu criticised poor management of funds allocated to states and local governments from fuel subsidy savings. He said governors had shown “no convincing evidence” of using the resources to improve human development indices.
He called for grassroots accountability, urging citizens to monitor allocations and hold local government chairmen responsible. “We must hold them to account. If necessary, take them to court,” he said, adding that this would give meaning to the recent Supreme Court-backed autonomy for local governments.
Former senator and Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 Imo election, Athan Nneji Achonu, says the National Assembly is working on a bill to legalise cannabis for medicinal and economic use.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Achonu urged the federal government to embrace the move, warning that Nigeria is “sleeping on a multi-trillion-naira opportunity” while other nations advance.
Describing cannabis as “green gold,” he recalled sponsoring a similar bill in the Senate that failed because “Nigerians chose to demonise its usage.” He revealed that lawmakers are now pushing for legislation with strict regulation to prevent abuse.
Achonu argued that legalisation could diversify the economy, create jobs, attract foreign investment, and boost medical research.
“The global legal cannabis market is projected to exceed $100 billion before the end of this decade,” he said. “Nigeria has the right climate, fertile soil, and manpower to dominate this industry. Instead, we are watching others build wealth while we cling to outdated prohibitions. The time to act is now.”
He added that a regulated cannabis industry could generate tax revenue, increase exports, and provide treatments for chronic illnesses like epilepsy and cancer.
Beyond cannabis, Achonu criticised poor management of funds allocated to states and local governments from fuel subsidy savings. He said governors had shown “no convincing evidence” of using the resources to improve human development indices.
He called for grassroots accountability, urging citizens to monitor allocations and hold local government chairmen responsible. “We must hold them to account. If necessary, take them to court,” he said, adding that this would give meaning to the recent Supreme Court-backed autonomy for local governments.
Senator Achonu Backs Cannabis Legalisation for Medical and Economic Use.
Former senator and Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 Imo election, Athan Nneji Achonu, says the National Assembly is working on a bill to legalise cannabis for medicinal and economic use.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Achonu urged the federal government to embrace the move, warning that Nigeria is “sleeping on a multi-trillion-naira opportunity” while other nations advance.
Describing cannabis as “green gold,” he recalled sponsoring a similar bill in the Senate that failed because “Nigerians chose to demonise its usage.” He revealed that lawmakers are now pushing for legislation with strict regulation to prevent abuse.
Achonu argued that legalisation could diversify the economy, create jobs, attract foreign investment, and boost medical research.
“The global legal cannabis market is projected to exceed $100 billion before the end of this decade,” he said. “Nigeria has the right climate, fertile soil, and manpower to dominate this industry. Instead, we are watching others build wealth while we cling to outdated prohibitions. The time to act is now.”
He added that a regulated cannabis industry could generate tax revenue, increase exports, and provide treatments for chronic illnesses like epilepsy and cancer.
Beyond cannabis, Achonu criticised poor management of funds allocated to states and local governments from fuel subsidy savings. He said governors had shown “no convincing evidence” of using the resources to improve human development indices.
He called for grassroots accountability, urging citizens to monitor allocations and hold local government chairmen responsible. “We must hold them to account. If necessary, take them to court,” he said, adding that this would give meaning to the recent Supreme Court-backed autonomy for local governments.
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