Akeredolu Frowns At Illegal Cultivation Of Cannabis

Following the outrage over purported encouragement of the cultivation of cannabis by the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, he has shed more light on his trip to Thailand for Medicinal Cannabis Extract Development in Ondo State.

Governor Akeredolu who spoke with Government House Reporters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, shortly after his arrival from Thailand, explained that the focus of his administration is on medical cannabis cultivation in controlled areas under the full supervision of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Akeredolu refuted the rumour making the rounds that government was encouraging cannabis cultivation, noting that government was only looking at the possibility of having legally cultivated cannabis for medicinal usage. He frowned at illegal cultivation of cannabis in the state.

The Governor observed that since many countries in the world are earning a lot from regulated cultivation of cannabis, the same thing can be replicated in the state by ensuring that only licensed people are allowed to grow and cultivate it in regulated areas for the purpose of extracting the hemp oil for exportation. He said the development would improve the foreign earnings and the economy of the country and the state in particular.

Akeredolu, however, said that the cultivation may not be immediate as the state would have to first of all be licensed by the federal government before going into it. He disclosed that the government would not go against the United Nations (UN) Single Convention which goes against accumulation of cannabis, adding that government would only license some people who would be given bloc in confined areas under the supervision of the regulatory agencies. He emphasised that individuals and institutions would be licensed to patent drugs from it that will be beneficial to the state and the country at large.

According to Governor Akeredolu, there is one year shortage of hemp oil need in Canada and Europe which must be filled in no time, adding that if the state cannot fill it another state will take the position.