LEGALISING use of cannabis is long overdue and government must be commended for setting up a committee of experts to finally take Zambia towards decriminalising its legal usage, a medical doctor has charged.
Dr Canisius Banda, a development activist and public health specialist, says the country was lagging behind because other nations were already benefitting from legalising the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes and that this could boost the economy.
He commended government for taking a new stance and setting up a committee of experts to firmly take Zambia towards the decriminalisation, export and medicinal use of cannabis as this is long overdue.
Dr Banda said President Edgar Lungu’s landmark decision to reconsider Government’s position on the cultivation of cannabis through the Ministry of Health was commendable as the crop was a game-changer to the economic dynamics of the country as it had undisputable benefits.
“It is exceedingly pleasing that President Lungu, through his Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, set up a committee of experts to firmly take Zambia towards the decriminalization, export and medicinal use of Cannabis. This landmark presidential decision needs the support of all citizens. Cannabis is the leading cash crop of California whose economy is larger than that of Italy.
“Proper management of this crop will be a game changer for Zambia’s economy. It is going to add significant value to our GDP and subsequently the per capita income of citizens will rise and their poverty will fall. It is not disputable that Cannabis Sativa, the plant, was created by God for our use. All we need is the requisite knowledge on its use,” Dr Banda said.
He further said even though there was nothing wrong with the tobacco leaf itself, smoking it the way people did through cigarettes might be wrong and anachronistic and that new and safe methods of consuming tobacco needed to be discovered and devised, saying in time, cigarettes might be abolished.
“There is significant and overwhelming scientific evidence that Cannabis is a potent medicine. It treats epilepsy and chronic intractable pain. It also stops vomiting, promotes hair growth, is an antidepressant and restores brain health in dementia patients as well as stimulating appetite, and fights cancer.
“President Lungu must indeed be commended for this bold decision because he seeks to occasion the requisite change in the quality of our lives through enlightenment and this makes him the people’s President. Cannabis Sativa is a tropical plant and Zambia’s soils and weather are perfect for its cultivation,” he said.
He further proposed for the inclusion of Green Party president Peter Sinkamba to be considered in the committee of experts as his input would be vital since he had been an ardent proponent of the legalization of the crop.
His face suggest the man likley smokes marijuana.
Bizzare of him supporting this in any shape or form
Thanks
BB2014,2016
Your face does not look any better than his buttocks …..look your self in the mirror.
Pilgrim….tell them…lets start getting high
Dr Cannabis Banda we miss you man. This time you could have been vice president, unfortunately GBM cost us 11,000 votes.
Shut up if you have nothing to say, what do you know about what his saying? You ignorant prick
Ignorance has no defense.In case you thought the only way to use cannabis is to smoke it,then you are really a dangerous nitwit,an inimical presence in our Country..
Sh!thole country…
@Dr Chaos Theory
Dont foool yourself..where ever you are the Muzungu looks at you as a shiiithole human being…you silly coon..and the fact that you are on LT its obvious you’re Zambian
…and that’s where you are
Who was calling Sinkamba Peter mad. PF is a team of pure modern id1ots. Ba f1kala ba kaponya.
Using the natural resources God has given u does not qualify u to be a kaponya..Peter Sinkamba has proved to be the most intelligent politician that we have..’GO GREEN’
You would say that pilgrim since you seem to be high on the stuff ever since leaving upnd. At least now you won’t need to hide.
Mary Jane has never been illegal in the first place. Who is man to call what The Almighty God created illegal?
Then they legalize Whisky and cigarettes which are responsible for millions of deaths each year.
Funny to see how idiots react when knowledge and the truth is shared.
Former member of a directionless party has spoken
Zambia is asleep look at Amsterdam and now USA all we do is go after Petty marijuana thieves this should have been a foresight of the Zambian GRZ 10 years ago the Countey would have not been in debt today… wake up Zambia wake up…
True
Always on the back foot. I admire the Ethiopians and Somalis who resisted khat being categorized as an illegal substance – or the Bolivian leader who went on ahead to continue with his Coca farming. Africans ALWAYS wait for the wazungu to legalize something before they start parroting. Alas, most times we even end up hanging on to archaic things long after wazungu have moved on too… We need to get our drawing boards clear of useless influences for once!
Legalize thats for the Green Party Mr Sinkamba idea not the president of pf thank you
Lost son has spoken today.lol
Fwaka yachingoni, abemba bazafunta bambiri ngati bachitaligalise. Thus my fear
once its legalized the abuse will reduce,1 kg of cannabis marijuana is US D$5,000 per kg and cannabis hemp per hector its about US D$5 million.Right now its being abused because you can only sell it on the black market for k200 cannabis marijuana.In case you thought the only way to use cannabis is to smoke it,then you are really a dangerous nitwit,an inimical presence in our community..Indeed people perish 4 lack of knowledge..
In one of his positings, Canisius Banda called the marijuan plant “that intelligent plant” -Whatever he meant. But it sounded like he is an avid consumer of marijuana. Please, do not include him on the team of experts. He seems to have other ulterior motives for the cultivation of marijuana other than the medicinal properties the plant has. Especially that he called it before “that intelligent plant”
For your own information Cannabis is earth’s number 1 natural resource.Do u know the real reasons for the incrimination of cannabis in 1937.cannabis is the only plant that can feed you,shelter you,cloth you and heal you.It has strongest fiber in nature,every part of the plant could be used..
@ Angoni you surely can’t imagine that Bembas can go mad after they had tutored you? Bembas have always known ichamba from time immemorial:
‘Chamba nsangwa mutotelwa kumasembe…auba i’nganda…’ Ask inkosi yama kosi to finish that one for us
Let us be progressive. We need Money. We need to stock up our foreign reserves that are depleting by second. Copper is no longer a Zambian Resource, Water resources are just for quenching our thirst. They have been exploited for economic activities. We think our soil resources are just for growing cabbages or rape? Let us think outside the box and use these resources like never before.
Marijuana is the best option to unlock the wealth of this country.