The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has dismissed those pushing for legalization of marijuana saying the reasons they are citing don’t hold water.
Speaking after meeting with North Eastern regional multi-agency teams, NACADA boss Victor Okioma revealed that marijuana is currently one of the most problematic drugs in the Country.
“When you talk about licensing Marijuana recreation you lose focus. Currently Marijuana is only allowed for medical and scientific reasons,” he said.
He further warned that marijuana is the most abused narcotic and leading in drug-caused disorders in the Country.
Last month, Rastafarian Society of Kenya members filed a petition in court seeking to legalize Bhang for sentimental use.
The society wants to be allowed to use cannabis to connect with their creator either individually in what is known as ‘meditation’ which involves the smoking, eating, drinking, bathing or burning of incense.
They averred that followers of the Rastafari faith use bhang or cannabis for spiritual, medicinal, culinary and ceremonial purposes as sacrament as the ultimate of manifesting their religion as a Rastafari to meditate and or reason with others in order to connect with their God.
On bars, Okioma appealed to County Governments to review licensing guidelines for bars and restaurants to include plot numbers and exact locations noting that some people are operating bars near schools which is illegal.
“The licenses do not indicate the premises and plot numbers. Some people are taking this advantage and opening 10 bars with only one license,” Okioma said
Additionally, he said counties need to be keen about the premises where the bars are operating, what they are selling and if they confer to minimum health requirement.
On drug trafficking, North Eastern Regional commissioner Nicodemus Ndalana said that security teams in the region will do the best to stop drug trafficking in the region.
“However, most of the drugs are being sold in the neighbouring country Somalia which may lead to possible involvement in the trade by Al shabaab,” he noted.
In attendance were representatives from; Kenya Revenue Authority, National Police Service Commission, National Government Administration Officers, Anti-Counterfeit Authority Kenya and County Government of Garissa.