Former NACADA boss John Mututho has dismissed the push by Kibra Member of Parliament Ken Okoth to have bhang legalized in Kenya.
Mututho speaking on Thursday said the bill is aimed at creating a criminal enterprise.
He hit out at the MP for drafting such a bill.
In a letter to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Okoth further wants all criminal records against Kenyans with past convictions of marijuana use be withdrawn and amnesty measures instituted.
In the letter dated September 21, the MP wants the National Assembly to regulate the growing and safe use of marijuana.
Mututho noted that while the bill proposes the formation of a board to regulate the use of bhang, there is no provision to have any person in the security sector in the board adding that it will be difficult for the board to have the muscle to handle violators of the law.
Okoth also wants the government to fund research and policy development on growth and use of bhang for medical, industrial, textile and recreational purposes “with a focus on preservation of intellectual property rights for Kenyan research and natural heritage, knowledge and our indigenous plant assets.”
He argues that legalizing marijuana will boost the economy and provide jobs to hundreds of unemployed population.
Mututho, however, is against any move to have weed being legal.
“Despite bhang having been said to contain substances that reduce pain, there are many underlying dangers which cannot be ignored just because of a single unproven benefit,” said Mututho.
Mututho said that bhang addicts take about six to nine months to heal compared to alcohol addicts who take about three weeks to heal.
He adds that bhang smokers are dangerous people and difficult to manage.
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