The Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), Akrasi Sarpong, has called for a national debate on legalization of marijuana in the country.
According to him, numerous studies have shown that marijuana use is on the increase in the country despite its illegal status.
“Ordinary people can say don’t legalize it but that will be vocalizing the ostrich hiding its head in the sand, because there is a virtual legalization on the ground,” Mr. Sarpong said.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC’s Sammy Darko, Mr Sarpong said that the “war” waged on marijuana in the country stands to be lost because many people believe “what you are fighting is not crime”.
“Reports say cannabis is the number one problem in Africa so what are we therefore saying. People laugh at these things, because, they are growing them in their homes,” he added.
The NACOB boss opined he is personally against the call to legalize marijuana but was quick to add that government can generate revenue by legalizing it.
“I believe it’s being used in primary schools, it’s being used in secondary schools, being mixed with shito and university students are smoking it. Post graduates and people who are working are smoking it so what are we talking about?”
By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana