TheNewsGuru

Tag: Cannabis

  • Nigeria opposes UN move to make cannabis non-dangerous drug

    Nigeria opposes UN move to make cannabis non-dangerous drug

    Nigeria joined China, Egypt and 22 other countries in voting against a UN move to remove cannabis from a list of the world’s most tightly controlled and dangerous drugs.

    But the opposition was useless, as the move narrowly passed on Wednesday night.

    Weed was previously on Schedule IV of the U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs’ list, alongside heroin, fentanyl analogues and other opioids that are often deadly.

    The decision to downgrade follows the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation last year to make research into the medical use of cannabis easier.

    The vote on Wednesday was a tight one, with 27 of the Vienna based commission’s member states, including the US and European countries, in support of declassifying the drug.

    Nigeria, China, Egypt, Russia and Pakistan were among the 25 countries who voted against the move.

    Ukraine abstained.

    But stoners are mistaken to think this de-classification has paved the way for legalised weed across the world.

    The drugs that are on Schedule IV are a subset of those on Schedule I of the convention, which already requires the highest levels of international control.

    The agency voted to leave cannabis and cannabis resin on the list of Schedule I drugs which also include cocaine, fentanyl, morphine, methadone, opium and oxycodone, the opiate painkiller sold as OxyContin.

    It noted the ‘the high rates of public health problems arising from cannabis use’ and did not back the WHO’s recommendation to remove ‘extracts and tinctures of cannabis’ from Schedule 1.

    Wednesday’s vote therefore does not clear U.N. member nations to legalise marijuana under the international drug control system.

    Canada and Uruguay have legalised the sale and use of cannabis for recreational purposes, along with 15 states in the US.

    Meanwhile many countries around the world have decriminalised marijuana possession.

    The schedules weigh a drug’s medical utility versus the possible harm that it might cause, and experts say that taking cannabis off the strictest schedule could lead, however, to the loosening of international controls on medical marijuana.

    Last year the WHO recommended that ‘cannabis and cannabis resin should be scheduled at a level of control that will prevent harm caused by cannabis use and at the same time will not act as a barrier to access and to research and development of cannabis-related preparation for medical use.’

    READ ALSO Rwanda to is

  • Photos: NDLEA detects Cannabis inside sacks of Garri

    Photos: NDLEA detects Cannabis inside sacks of Garri

    Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State have foiled a criminal attempt to smuggle eighty-three (83) kilograms of cannabis sativa concealed inside sacks of garri out of the State amidst the covid 19 lockdown.

    The interception of the dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis took place Aviele trailer park, Etsako West Local Government Area of the State.

    NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mr. Buba Wakawa who announced the latest operational breakthrough in Benin City also commended operatives of the Auchi Area command for the spectacular drug seizure.

    According to him, “officers attached to the Auchi Area command acting on intelligence report raided the popular trailer park at Aviele where the dried weeds of cannabis hidden inside eight (8) sacks of garri were intercepted while preparing to smuggle the drugs out of the State. This is a very successful operation and I commend the officers for their commitment and ingenuity”.

    While describing the mode of concealment as “cunning”, the commander said that preliminary investigation had revealed that a local cannabis snuggling cartel in the area is behind the cannabis consignment.

    In a related operation at Uzebba forest, the command also recovered twenty (20) kilogrammes of cannabis seeds and thirteen (13) kilogrammes of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis. The commander, therefore, warned that drug traffickers in the State must quit the criminal act or be prepared for the legal consequences.

    “The early detection of the drugs despite the mode of concealment is a clear signal that the activities of cannabis cartels cannot escape our strict supervision. We are prepared to remain proactive in our counter- narcotics efforts. This way we will continue to subject drug traffickers to the laws of the country to serve as a deterrent to others who might be tempted to indulge in drug trafficking” the commander warned.

  • Customs intercept N1.2bn cannabis – “largest single seizure” in history

    Customs intercept N1.2bn cannabis – “largest single seizure” in history

    Operatives of the Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) have intercepted drugs suspected to be Cannabis Sativa valued at N1,002,050,000 during a seagoing patrol on Lagos waters.

    The Controller of the command, Comptroller Olugboyega Peters, revealed this in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.

    Peters described the seizure as the “largest single seizure” of such drugs on the waters in the history of the Nigeria Customs.

    He said that his men relied on intelligence and carried out round the clock surveillance for a period of three days before swooping on the target area where the seizure was made.

    According to him, the suspected smugglers seen from afar with the drugs dived into the water to escape upon sighting customs officers approaching to make the seizure.

    “The drugs were suspected to be coming from Ghana and had passed other countries by water before getting to Shashi area of Lagos where it was seized.

    “Since no suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure, it will be liable to destruction in collaboration with relevant government agencies like National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Police,” he said.

    Peters said that the command had achieved 39 seizures within the first four months of the year, which is higher than 12 seizures made within the same period of 2019.

    He said that the command made seizures with a total duty paid value of N1,063,427,800 which was higher than DPV of N36,420,481.46 achieved within the same period of last year.

    He listed the breakdown of the 2020 seizures made so far as 1,816 bags of rice valued at N38,134,375; 733 cartons of poultry products worth N7,421,625; and 104 bales of second-hand clothing worth N4,393,400.

    He also listed 665 bales of textile materials worth N2,094,400 and 112 kegs of 25-litre petroleum products valued at N112,000.

    Other seizures listed are, 25 bales of second-hand shoes and belts worth N8,019,000; 25 cartons of chewing gum worth N1,203,000 and the unprecedented seizure of cannabis

    The Comptroller attributed the seizure recorded to the renewed spirit of work amongst officers and men of the command to achieve the Comptroller General of Customs strategic plan of zero tolerance to smuggling.

    He also attributed it to a high level of intelligence gathering and enhanced customs community relations.

    Peters said this was in addition to close collaboration with other government agencies like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, among others.

  • Jay-Z joins Cannabis Company, becomes chief brand strategist

    Jay-Z has become the latest celebrity to venture into the marijuana business. The billionaire rapper is taking up the role of a chief brand strategist.
    Privately-owned Caliva, formed in San Jose in 2015, said on Tuesday that Jay-Z had entered a long-term partnership in which he will focus on outreach and the creative direction of the company.
    The rapper, whose formal title with Caliva will be chief brand strategist, will also further his social justice efforts by increasing job training for former prisoners as well as fostering quality and fairness in the development of the legal marijuana industry, the company said in a statement.
    “We want to create something amazing, have fun in the process, do good and bring people along the way,” the rapper said in a statement.
    Jay-Z earlier this year helped to launch a criminal justice group called the Reform Alliance with a goal of helping to get 1 million Americans out of jail and on probation or parole in the next five years.
    Jay-Z, 49 was named by Forbes magazine in June as the first hip-hop artist to become a billionaire thanks to investments in clothing, champagne, the ride-hailing service Uber and his Roc Nation entertainment company.
    He is the latest celebrity to get into the marijuana business as its legalization for recreational use has spread to 11 US states, including California.
    The rapper Snoop Dogg has his own brand, Leafs by Snoop, and the actor Whoopi Goldberg in 2016 launched a line of medical marijuana products aimed at providing relief from menstrual cramps.
     

  • NDLEA takes 3 truck-load of cannabis to court as exhibit

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Tuesday took two Hilux truck and a Toyota Hiace bus loaded with 201 sacks of cannabis sativa as exhibits to the Federal High Court Abuja.

    The 201 sacks of cannabis were brought before Justice Evelyn Maha by the NDLEA as exhibits in a count charge filed against one Michael Monday and Abdullahi Iliyasu.

    Monday,33, and Iliyasu, 25, both male with no skill or handiwork, are being prosecuted by the NDLEA for aiding in the transportation of cannabis sativa, an illicit drug weighing 2,058.7 kg.

    The culprit whom both defendants aided in transporting the 201 sacks of cannabis sativa, one Ugo, was still at large.

    Out of the 201 sacks of cannabis carefully concealed in a white sack and packed inside a black nylon, three sacks were tendered inside the court room and the rest, inside the vehicles.

    Justice Maha personally went outside together with the court registry, prosecutors and defence counsels for inspection and confirmation of the remaining number of sacks of cannabis in the vehicles.

    The judge admitted the 201 sacks, certificate of test analysis, packing of substance form, request for scientific aid form and other relevant exhibits tendered by the prosecution into evidence.

    The defence counsel, Sharon Saakwen made no objection to the entire exhibits tendered b y the prosecution.

    The prosecution witness, Mr Shehu Mohammed, the NDLEA Exhibit Officer told the court the two defendants were arrested by operatives of the NDLEA on Dec.2, 2018.

    Mohammed, being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Mr Mike Kassa, said both defendants were arrested while in transit in a Mercedes truck along Abaji expressway in transit with reg. No: XB 417 KNR.

    He told the court that the two defendants were brought to him with the Mercedes truck loaded with the cannabis sativa.

    He further said the results from the laboratory analysis he sent to Lagos showed that it was cannabis sativa, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine and heroin.

    The prosecutor prayed the court to convict the two defendants who had pleaded guilty on day of first arraignment, coupled with the prove of facts.

    Kassa said this was in line with section 247(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    Justice Maha adjourned until June 25 for judgment.

    The offenc, the NDLEA said, is contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

  • NBA winner reveals he smokes six hours before games

    Matt Barnes, who won the NBA with Golden State Warriors last year has admitted to smoking cannabis six hours before games.

    “I would smoke cannabis six hours before a game. We’d have a shoot-around in the morning, I’d come home and smoke a joint, take a nap, shower, eat and go and play,” Barnes said.

    The 38-year-old retired last June after the 4-1 series win over Cleveland Cavaliers and has told BBC Sport that use of the banned substance is “widespread” despite being in breach of NBA rules.

    Barnes says he even discussed cannabis with his coach, seven-time NBA champion Steve Kerr, who has previously admitted to taking the drug to ease chronic back pain.

    Cannabis has been a part of Barnes’ life since he was 14, but he refutes suggestions that he is addicted.

    During his 14 seasons in the NBA with seven different teams, he used it to manage pain, to relax and to help him sleep, and says it “brought me peace of mind”.

  • Court jails 29-year-old for peddling 600g of cannabis

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced a 29-year-old man, Innocent Onyigbo, 18 months’ imprisonment for trafficking in 600g of cannabis.

    Justice Mohammed Aikawa found Onyigbo guilty and convicted him, following his guilty plea.

    He held that the sentence should take effect from the date of the convict’s arrest.

    The judge warned the convict to desist from crime and engage in lawful activities after serving his jail term.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had arraigned Onyigbo on a count charge of drug trafficking.

    NDLEA counsel, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, had submitted that Onyigbo was arrested with 600g of cannabis on Aug. 13, at Marakana Stadium, Olodi, Apapa, Lagos.

    He tendered in evidence seven exhibits including certificate of test analysis, packaging of substance form, bulk of drug exhibit, request for scientific aid form and statement of the accused.

    He also tendered in evidence a drug analysis form and a sealed envelope containing remnants of the restricted substance.

    The court admitted the exhibits.

    According to the NDLEA, trafficking in cannabis contravenes Sections 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, 2004.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 85 drug suspects, seizes 130.922 kg of cannabis in Gombe

    NDLEA arrests 85 drug suspects, seizes 130.922 kg of cannabis in Gombe

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Gombe State Command, had arrested 85 drug suspects, seized 130.922 kilograms of cannabis and 1,206.303 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances between January and November 2016.

    The Commandant of the agency in the state, Mr Aliyu Adole, disclosed this to newsmen in Gombe on Tuesday.

    “Within this period, we have arrested 82 male and 3 female suspects and we removed from circulation 130.922 kilogrammes of cannabis and 1,206.303 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances,” Adole said.

    He also said that within the period, the agency had convicted 64 suspects who were presently serving their various jail terms.

    Adole said the agency had 19 pending hard drug cases against suspects, while 32 clients were counseled in the new NDLEA rehabilitation center.

    He said that the new centre was yielding positive result and commended the state government for the gesture.

    The commandant called on members of the public to provide information that would help to reduce the circulation of hard drugs in the state and assured that their identities would be protected.