House of Rep Member Presents Bill to Legalize Medical Marijuana

Congress woman Princess Miriam Onuoha has proposed a bill to regulate the cultivation, possession, availability and trade in cannabis for medical and research purposes.

Per Second News reports Princess Miriam Onuoha, the member representing Isiala Mbano/ Onuimo/Okigwe federal constituency of Imo State, announced the legislation Thursday.

Titled “The Cannabis Control Bill, 2020,” the Bill seeks to regulate the cultivation, possession, availability and trade in cannabis for medical and research purposes.

Princess Onuoha  said the objectives of the Bill include to Provide for a registration and licensing system for Cannabis farmers and processors;  establish a  registration and licensing system for Cannabis famers and processors;  regulate the cultivation , processing,  availability and trade of Cannabis for medical  purposes and promote public awareness about the cultivation, processing, availability and trade of Cannabis for medicinal and research purposes and its use in relation to medical or health purpose.

The Bill prohibits issuance of cannabis licence for medical use if such a person is without a proof that “ he is either a medical doctor and intends to use it for medical purposes or a pharmaceutical company who intends to use an amount of Cannabis which may be determined as required, in producing a medicine for the cure of a certain disease or an epidemic.”

The Bill had already been endorsed by the Civil Society Organization Stakeholders on Farming for Medical Use Initiative, which described it as “strategic” bill that would unlock the potentials of cannabis. It also called on the legislature to ensure the bill becomes law as soon as possible.

The term medical marijuana refers to using the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions.

Scientific study of the chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to two U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form. Continued research may lead to more medications.