[Senator Mong’are Okong’o in a past event. He now wants Cannabis Sativa legalized in the country. Photo/standard.co.ke]
Senate was on Wednesday embroiled in a heated debate on whether to admit a petition seeking to legalize Cannabis Sativa, a substance banned in the country.
The petition elicited a heated debate with legislators taking sides as they persuaded Speaker Ekwe Ethuro to settle on their stand.
Nevertheless, the house was thrown into shock after Nyamira Senator Mong’are Okong’o, who is also a presidential aspirant, admitted having used the substance.
“It doesn’t mean that if the drug is legalized, it destroys lives. It depends with the level of indulgence. As a juvenile, I used it and I stayed in India where it is legalized. You can choose not to use it,” he said.
Mong’are added: “As a house, we can come up with regulations that encourage deterrence. The government can allow it but have regulations that restrict it.”
The renowned lawyer was a law student in India, a country which has legalized use of Bhang.
A number of Senators led by Kipchumba Murkomen of Elgeyo –Marakwet demanded to know whether his decision to run for presidency was informed by the effects of the banned substance.