A campaign against the anticipated legalization of Cannabis Sativa in Nigeria was launched by the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS).

In a statement delivered in Abuja on Monday, Mrs. Laraba Shoda, National President of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), emphasized that marijuana should not be legalized for whatever reason, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

In addition, Shoda recommended those considering using it for medical purposes do so through the proper legal channels, as established by the government.

The House of Representatives has previously stated that it was willing to legalize the use of Cannabis Sativa in the country because of the economic benefits it would bring.

Shoda stated, “As Nigerian women, we say no to the legalization of Cannabis Sativa. We already have lots of challenges in the country that are associated with drugs abuse; legalizing Cannabis Sativa will further worsen our situation, despite its tremendous benefits. I am sure we are not ready as a nation to handle the legalization of the weed at this time.”

She said that a large number of Nigerian teenagers, including women, were involved in drug usage, and that legalizing marijuana would provide them with the ability to do so with immunity.

“In my view, we should not legalize Cannabis Sativa yet when there is little to no research data on the various areas the plant is cultivated since most people grow them in secrecy in our environment. We should rather start with giving relevant stakeholders the mandate to coordinate research across schools of pharmacy in the country to develop validated analytical methods to do quantitative phytochemistry,” she said.

“Our conversation as a nation should be centered on what science is required and what scientific capability the country has that might safely drive the legality of the use of Cannabis Sativa in our country.”

Shoda also urged Nigerian women to pray for the country and its leaders in order for them to find solutions to the insecurity that exists in the country.