Medical Cannabis: Gov Akeredolu Urges Pharmacists To Be Research Oriented

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has advised Pharmacists in the country to carry out exclusive research on the uses of Cannabis for medical benefit.

Arakunrin Akeredolu gave the charge at the 40th Anniversary and the 2021 Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) National Scientific Conference held in Abeokuta.

The Governor advised Pharmacists to dig deep into cannabis for medicinal purposes since they have been working with herbs.

His words: “Ondo State is prepared to be the pilot state for the green CBD oil and controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

“If legalized, the abused usage and circulation of cannabis in the black market will drop drastically.

“Nigeria is already left behind in the huge revenue generated from the cannabis Sativa as it is wasted resources.

“In Ogbese, we can have a farm where NDLEA will be in charge. Nobody can take it out to smoke. From there, it gets to you for medicinal purposes.

“Pharmacists have been working on herbs, you can research on this too. It is one of the pathways to the controlled cultivation. We should not be left behind. We have started to champion the issue of red oil that has to do with palm. We will champion the green oil too in Ondo state.”

Pharmacist Nonso Maduka disclosed Nigeria should allow a pilot situation having in mind cannabis still has industrial and export value.

Africa Investigative Magazine gathered that Pharmacists made case for regulated cannabis cultivation in the country for medicinal and industrial use.

It was verified that controlled and regulated cultivation of cannabis would not only benefit humanity but also ensure national development.

In his remark, Professor Alex MacGregor, President, Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, said legalizing cannabis means “we reduce contact with that environment and the opportunity to engage other types of substance use.”