Marijuana commonly referred to as weed bhang, bangi, pot, ganja, vela or weed among other names has for ages been an illegal drug in Kenya which its associated cases could even attract life imprisonment.
Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act of 1994, classifies the possession, sale, growing and distribution of marijuana illegal.
Over the last few years there have been complete overhauls on marijuana laws. Recently in the Alaskan state in the USA, adults as young as 21 years can transport, buy or possess an ounce of recreational marijuana and six plants.
Similarly, in the state of Oregon, voters approved a measure allowing adults to possess an ounce of marijuana in public and 8 ounces in their homes and are set to take effect on July 1st.
With the current state of the country, all signs clearly indicate that Kenya could be heading to legalizing the weed. A few days ago, a New York-based company claimed to have obtained a licence to cultivate marijuana on 500 acres of land in Kenya, bringing closer home the current global debate about the stand of the country on this matter.
In a notice, GoIP Global Inc, which is listed on the OTC Markets of New York, told its shareholders that it has secured a permit to grow the stimulant on a 500-acre plot in Kenya.
“After visiting Kenya and meeting with officials in the country, I am very excited about the prospects this agreement (licence) brings to our company. This is the first of several critical transactions that will transform GoIP into a relevant member of the burgeoning cannabis industry,” said company chairman Ike Sutton in the statement dated March 7.
“The lease term will be for 25 years and Kenya being on the Equator provides the best conditions for all-year round production,” the statement adds.
However, the Kenyan government denied issuing such a licence, warning that marijuana remains a prohibited plant in the country’s statutes. GoIP did not respond to our multiple requests for comment.
In the recent past, there has been calls from famous persons including Raila junior to legalize the weed so as to capitalize on the country’s income through taxation. “We can actually use taxes from marijuana to pay these Chinese loans,” he observed.
Also, there already exists a market abroad in countries such as the Netherlands, where there is a special strain of marijuana specifically from the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro due to its high potency. This introduces international trade through exports and imports of different strains.
Useful cannabis found in marijuana have the capabilities to treat ailments such as Alzheimer, reduce anxiety, alleviate pain in arthritis, cancer, glaucoma, improve lung health and in HIV/AIDS it boosts suppressed appetite in patients and many more diseases.
Due to increased debate on marijuana, Kenyans might lobby Parliament to review and decriminalize marijuana depending on intent, whether medical or recreational.