Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, has reiterated his call for legal and controlled cultivation of cannabis in Nigeria, saying it can fetch the country billions of dollars.
The governor has, in recent times, been advocating investment in it, especially in Ondo State where the plant is extensively grown.
Mixed reactions have, however, treated his position.
But Akeredolu again made the call during a courtesy visit to his office by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Nigeria Prisons, Benson Oluwayiopese, who led participants of the Nigerian Prisons Service, NPS, Academy, Ijebu-Igbo to the state.
reports said the governor addressed the participants on the theme “Commercial Cannabis Growing in Ondo State: A Panacea for Economic Emancipation of over-dependent on Federal allocation.” s
He told then NPS officials that when the oil of cannabis is extracted, it could be used to cure many chronic illnesses.
He thus advised the team to research into the medicinal use of cannabis and also educate the populace on its benefit to mankind and as well as its capability to improve the economy of the country.
He said, “Nigeria stands to gain billions of dollars like others countries from the proposed legal and controlled cultivation of cannabis.”
The Acting Assistant Comptroller-General of Nigeria Prisons, Benson Oluwayiopese, who led the team, was quoted as saying the state was chosen for the study tour because of its novel and innovative intention towards legal and controlled cannabis cultivation for medicinal and economic benefits.
