Former National Authority for the Campaign against Drug Abuse Chairman John Mututho has called on the national assembly to reject any attempts to legalize the use of Marijuana in the country.
Mututho argues that the move by Kibra Mp Ken Okoth to introduce Marijuana Control Bill 2018 in parliament was myopic as it downplays the long-term and adverse psychological effects of the substance to possible addicts.
Mututho observed that legalization of the drug is counterproductive to the well being of Kenyans terming it suicidal, superficial and going against the Christian principles of this Country.
He said while it will provide practical solutions in the field of medicine, it poses a threat to the already weighed down health service in the country.
The Marijuana Control Bill 2018 which has aroused heated debate in recent days seeks to decriminalize the use of the substance while drawing up elaborate regulations for growth and use of the herb.
Mututho argues that unrestrained use of marijuana will become an inevitable consequence if the President assents the bill to law.
He notes a possible rise in the number of addicts seeking the usually costly mental health services will overstretch health facilities already struggling to operate.
In a research-backed report he shared with the press in Nakuru, bhang has over 400 chemical substances which trigger cancer and mental problems to users. Some of the residual effects to humans of these substances are irreversible, leading to permanent mental and reproductive disorders.
The report indicates that bhang smoke contains 50 per cent more tar (cancer-causing substances) than smoke from a high tar cigarette. Its residual effects to smokers can last a lifetime and leads to mental problems to some users.
In light of the damaging effects to life, Mututho also wants the civil society and the clergy to rise against the bill saying it is detrimental to the anticipated cohesive social growth of a country that is keen on ridding itself of drugs and substance abuse.
He says the bill is geared towards developing an intractable criminal enterprise that will reverse the few economic gains achieved over the years.
Mututho joins the fray of analysts who argue that de-criminalization of Marijuana will cause an uptick in crime which in turn will negate economic growth as envisaged by the government`s ambitious development blueprint.
