Kenya is a country that is beautiful and bountiful as it has a wealth of resources which if well used, could see the lives of many citizens changed.
However, the country still faces challenges from corruption and laws here are made to be broken-especially by the rich and the well-connected in the political circles.
Despite these challenges with enforcing the law, a scientist, Professor Simon Mwaura, surprised the country last year when he proposed that the country’s parliament legalize the production and use of marijuana.
Prof Mwaura argues that marijuana is safe for consumption if the plant's psychotropic elements separated. He claims to have found a way to separate the elements calling for the freedom to the plant as a raw material for herbal and medicinal extracts, and to create food supplements.
The professor claims to have come up with the formula in 1996 after researching marijuana and miraa (khat)- a popular drug used in Kenya especially by youths and largely by the Somali community.
According to Kenyans.co.ke, Prof Mwaura claims his findings had been confirmed by the Government Chemist.
“These two main plants offer both herbal and medicinal extracts that can be used by a six-month-old baby to a 90-year-old,” Mwaura noted as quoted by the publication.
He says that cannabis has nutrients such as magnesium and carbohydrates when the psychotropic components which leave users feeling ‘high' are separated.
In Kenya, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 1994 prohibits the use of marijuana plant and its products but Prof Mwaura says if he succeeds in his push, Kenya would be the first country to export marijuana as a herbal supplement.
Parliament is expected to pass this law as an act to decriminalize the growth and use of marijuana, to establish a system for the registration and licensing of marijuana growers and users and for connected purposes.
If passed, this law would then a register containing the particulars of growers will be maintained showing the name of a marijuana grower, producer, and seller. These players will have national identification numbers and whose age will be known and their location of operation.
Any person who does not present the particulars required for registration will be deemed to have committed an offense and shall liable upon conviction to imprisonment for a term of six months or a fine not exceeding Sh50,000 (USD500) or both.
A person shall not grow marijuana on a land exceeding two acres and anyone contravening this shall be deregistered and their license revoked. For medical and recreational use of marijuana, only licensed medical practitioners shall be permitted to issue marijuana for medical purposes and anyone seeking to get a dosage of marijuana for the first time for medical use must have a written authorization from a licensed medical practitioner.
To renew their prescription, the person must have written authorization from a licensed medical practitioner. Noteworthy in the Bill is that a person shall not use marijuana for recreational purposes in the company of another person without a license.
Recreational use of marijuana may include; smoking, mixing into pastries, tablets and any other form in which marijuana may be ingested into the body.
#HistoryNow