Legalise marijuana- Chief Nursing Officer

The Chief Nursing Officer at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Samuel Kudjoe Hanu has added his voice to the call for the legalization of Marijuana in Ghana.

According to Mr. Hanu who specializes in addiction, the substance has several medicinal values and therefore must be legalized, but subject to control measures to enable the country control its usage.

He said legalization of marijuana will rather reduce usage by minors.

He said the country can realise immeasurable amount of money through the taxing of products associated with the plant, adding that developed countries have taken advantage of the this policy and are making enough money to develop their countries.

Mr. Hanu made the daring call at a sensitization programme to commemorate the International Campaign Day against Substance Abuse in Tema on Friday.

The occasion was organized by Cregg Afful Foundation, an NGO which is into advocacy against drug abuse among children and the youth, in collaboration with the Tema Metropolitan Assembly. Present at the occasion were students, health officials as well as traditional and religious leaders.

A Medical Officer in charge of the Tema Polyclinic, Dr. Sally Quartey said drug abuse goes beyond using marijuana, cocaine and other hard substances, adding that taking paracetamol, Vellum and other pills without prescription constitutes drug abuse and urged the public to refrain such behaviour.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Michael Cregg Afful was unhappy about the law enforcement agencies especially the police effort in fighting drug abuse and said there was more room for improvement.