- Says all forms of cannabis remain banned in Nigeria
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a strong warning to Nigerians over the circulation of illicit substances falsely marketed as “medicinal cannabis.”
In a statement released on Wednesday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA said the alert followed the arrest of a 28-year-old drug kingpin, Afeez Salisu (alias Malu), who was apprehended last Saturday at 2 Akala Street, off Umoru Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos State. Salisu was reportedly packaging and distributing fake medicinal cannabis in designer pouches and cups.
Babafemi disclosed that a total of 16.4 kilogrammes of synthetic and highly potent strains of cannabis—including Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud—were recovered from the suspect’s store.
According to the NDLEA, the seized products, deceptively labelled as therapeutic cannabis, contain dangerously high concentrations of psychoactive substances with severe mental and physical health effects. “These so-called medicinal products are adulterated and highly potent strains of dangerous substances, not the regulated pharmaceutical preparations they claim to be,” Babafemi stated.
He further explained that the strains being sold under the guise of medicinal cannabis are associated with serious mental health risks, including psychosis, paranoia, acute anxiety, and long-term cognitive impairments, particularly among young people.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), condemned the illicit trade, noting that criminal elements were exploiting global conversations around medicinal cannabis to push harmful products into Nigerian communities. “Cannabis remains a prohibited substance in Nigeria. Any product sold locally as medicinal cannabis is fake, dangerous, and illegal,” Marwa warned.
The NDLEA urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report anyone involved in the sale or distribution of such substances to the nearest NDLEA office.
