Alban Bagin, the Speaker of Parliament, has expressed dissatisfaction with what he believes to be the public’s erroneous understanding of the adoption of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023.
The Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023 was approved by Parliament on July 12, 2023, and it made substantial modifications to the industrial and medical production of cannabis.
The modified measure made it possible to use the cannabis plant for a number of advantageous purposes by granting the Ministry of Interior the power to provide permits for its growth.
Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, claims that the approval of the measure was not intended to legalize marijuana usage for recreational purposes. He thus calls for the police to take harsh action against lawbreakers.
“Passage of the Bill does not connote or legalise the recreational use or smoking of cannabis therefore the House remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing the law against the unlawful use of cannabis.
“We will continue to act in a manner that is in line with the Constitution and serves the public interest and advances our nation’s development and I want to employ all Members of Parliament and Ghanaians to share this information so as to dispel the misinformation and foster an informed dialogue on the matter.”
“I reiterate that the cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, production, or use of narcotic plants, synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs without lawful authority remains an offence and is punishable by our laws and I, therefore, call on the law enforcement authorities to continue to investigate, prosecute and commit offenders to the sanctions of the law.”
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Joseph Asare
