Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee and Member of Parliament for Bolga East, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has underscored the potential economic advantages associated with legalizing the industrial use of cannabis.

Referring to studies conducted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade and Development, Dr. Ayine pointed out the positive impacts observed in countries that have legalized cannabis cultivation.

These benefits include economic growth, industrial development, increased foreign exchange, employment opportunities, and medicinal applications.

“Mr. Speaker, studies conducted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade and Development indicate that the industry has potential benefits for countries that have legalized its cultivation and management. These include economic, industrial, foreign exchange, employment, and medicinal benefits. Every part of the industrial hemp plants, from the roots to the flowers and seeds, has potential industrial and medicinal benefits, which can be beneficial to the economy of the country,” he said.

Dr. Dominic Ayine's comments were made in response to the recent development of a Legislative Instrument designed to regulate the cultivation and management of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes, following the passage of the parent law by parliament.

Meanwhile, Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has raised concerns about the potential negative impact on mental health and questioned the feasibility of regulating cannabis use.

“Unfortunately, the young man taking weed in this country is not going to take what he has to the laboratory to test HPC content before taking it. And none of you is talking about the potential for abuse or how badly it would degenerate the mental health we already have in the country. Why are we pretending that this is going to solve our problems in the country? Minister, do you even know how many people are taking weed illegally, to the extent that you are going to license the people and show them where to store the weed?”