Whats your take on Marijuana control bill?

Image result for meme of no marijuana

Kenya legislatures  have been asked to reject a bill seeking to legalize marijuana because it will worsen drug addiction and mental illness.

Marijuana Control Bill, 2018  was sponsored by Kibra MP Ken Okoth with a view to decriminalize the growth and use of bhang.

However Psychiatrist Njagi Kumantha is against the bill he says,MPs should get facts about marijuana before debating the bill.

“Our youths are already affected by drug abuse and legalizing marijuana will worsen the situation”,said ,Kumantha.

The former director of Mathari Mental Hospital said doctors will refuse to prescribe the drug if MPs pass the bill.

 

“The drug was banned many years ago. There is no need to bring it back,” he said. Kumantha said he treats people suffering from the effects of Marijuana. He said the drug causes mental illness.

At least 10 per cent of people taken to Mathari Mental Hospital suffer from effects of abusing marijuana, he said. Those who smoke bhang have no motivation, hence the rampant cases of suicides and people killing each other, he said.

Former NACADA boss John Mututho also dismissed a Bill , he said the Bill by the MP is aimed at creating a criminal enterprise.

In a letter to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi dated September 21, Okoth further wants all criminal records against Kenyans with past convictions of marijuana be withdrawn and amnesty measures instituted.

But Mututho said it was shameful for a two-time Member of Parliament who is aware of the effects of cannabis sativa to draft such a Bill.

Okoth also wants the government to fund research and policy development on growth and use of bhang for medical, industrial, textile and recreational purposes “with a focus on preservation of intellectual property rights for Kenyan research and natural heritage, knowledge and our indigenous plant assets.”

He argues that legalizing marijuana will boost the economy and provide jobs to hundreds of unemployed population.

Mututho said despite bhang having been said to contain substances that reduce pain, there were many underlying dangers which cannot be ignored just because of a single unproven benefit.

While giving an example of his JOMEC rehabilitation centre, Mututho said that bhang addicts take about six to nine months to heal compared to alcohol addicts who take about three weeks to heal.

He said that bhang smokers are dangerous people and difficult to manage.

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