Narcotics Control Bill Doesn’t Give You The Right To Smoke ‘Wee’ – Bagbin

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has clarified the misinterpretation of the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023 by the public.

On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Parliament passed the bill, bringing significant changes to the cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes.

The amended bill granted the Ministry for the Interior the authority to issue licenses for the cultivation of cannabis, thereby enabling the utilisation of this plant for various beneficial applications.

But according to the speaker, the recreational use of cannabis is still not legalised.

“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,” he said.

He reiterated that the cultivation, manufacturing, processing, distribution, sale, production, or use of narcotic plants, synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs, without lawful authority remains an offence and is punishable by Ghanaian laws.

The Speaker of Parliament, therefore, called on the law enforcement authorities to continue to investigate, prosecute and commit offenders to the sanctions of the law.