Let’s say no to marijuana
Marijuana or wee is a psychoactive drug that is illegal to cultivate, distribute and consume in Ghana. Yet it is easily available to those who care to use it.
It contains the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which psychiatrists have identified as a major cause of mental illness or madness in those who use wee.
Several studies over the years have revealed that marijuana is so easily accessible that its use is widespread, even among students. In view of that, one can only imagine what would happen if, per chance, the cultivation and use of the plant is decriminalised.
It is against this background that the recent call made by the Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board, Mr Yaw Akrasi Sarpong, for a national debate on the use of marijuana in the country might have raised a few eyebrows.
At the same time, the call has generated a lot of interest in many circles.
Like every issue, arguments for and against it can be raised and it is, therefore, not surprising that certain interest groups are in support of the legalisation of the drug, pointing to its medicinal properties.
But can we take such a route as a nation?
In Ghana, a lot of mental conditions reported at psychiatric clinics have been linked to the use of marijuana (See story on page 3).
According to the Chief Psychiatrist at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Akwasi Osei, about 30 per cent of outpatients visits to the hospital each year are marijuana-related.
As explained by the doctor, Ghana’s marijuana was highly potent and likely to affect the mental faculties of users who might turn into aggressive social misfits and end up in mental institutions.
Such a development would further add to the breakdown of discipline in society and promote criminal activities, since people could behave irrationally, pursue their own sometimes idiotic agenda and, in the process, jeopardise the stability and peace of the nation, he said.
The Mirror agrees with the Chief Psychiatrist that the fact that other nations have legalised marijuana use does not mean Ghana should also follow suit. Some of these countries are already seeing the negative signs of their decision to legalise the use of marijuana.
We must bide our time in following some of these trends. After all, what is suitable for certain cultures may not necessarily work in our culture. Let’s not follow blindly and hit a stone wall.
We would, therefore, like to appeal to actors and musicians in particular to desist from glorifying marijuana or any other drug in their songs and performances, since they are role models for the youth, whom they easily influence.
Likewise, we also call on religious and social groups to help educate their members and all others, especially the youth, to desist from using marijuana and, indeed, all harmful drugs in order not to destroy their lives and the future of the country.
We cannot afford to unleash this lethal drug on our youth, who may be swayed by its ecstatic nature and get addicted to it.
We certainly must say no to marijuana.
