The Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), Mr Yaw Akrasi Sarpong, has mooted the idea of legalising marijuana in Ghana.
Marijuana, also known as ‘cannabis’, 'wee' and indian hemp', is widely used in Ghana, despite it being banned.
According to Mr Sarpong, a “virtual legalisation” of marijuana was already in place as the drug could be found in cosmetics and hair products used by women in the country.
Speaking to Accra-based Power FM, he said the drug is also smoked openly by many Ghanaians, including respected professionals.
He has therefore called for a national debate on whether marijuana should be legalised in Ghana to enable proper regulation of the drug.
"People must not shy away from discussing the matter," he said, adding that it was a headache the country must tackle.
The NACOB boss said proper regulation of marijuana will help stem abuse of the drug among the youth and help generate additional revenue for the state.
Mr Sarpong made reference to Colorado in the US where marijuana has been legalised, saying the time had come for Ghana to confront one of its worst fears.
According to Wikipedia, marijuana is often consumed for its psychoactive and physiological effects, which can include heightened mood or euphoria, relaxation, and an increase in appetite.
Its legalisation in Ghana is likely to be opposed by a majority of people due to a wide-spread perception that it can cause mental illness.
![Yaw Akrasi Sarpong, NACOB Boss]()
Speaking at the launch of the annual report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) for 2013 in Accra last week, Mr Akrasi Sarpong expressed concern over the increasing use of marijuana in the Ghana.
According to him, the major illicit drug challenge facing the country now was the cultivation, distribution and use of marijuana by school children and households.
He said the use of marijuana cut across all aspects of the Ghanaian society and had assumed such an alarming rate that it was being grown in many villages in the 10 regions.
In some cases, he said, farmers were planting cannabis instead of foodstuffs.
He named politicians, journalists, doctors, students, teachers, lawyers and children as part of the people who were involved in the use of the drug.
He said what was more disturbing was the fact that children as young as five or six years were sent by their teachers or adults to buy the drug for them, thereby putting them at great risk.
Mr Sarpong said some old women or grandmothers also assisted in the sale of marijuana by hiding it in their clothes to supply to buyers.
According to him, currently there had been a reduction in the abuse of drugs such as heroin and cocaine due to the serious abuse of marijuana which was readily available.
The annual report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2013 analyses trends in the illicit trafficking of drugs generally in the world, as well as the drug situation in specific geographical areas. It was launched simultaneously throughout the world.
