The Minority Chief Whip, Governs Agbodza, has expressed concerns about the potential abuse of cannabis following the maturity of a legislative instrument (L.I.) designed to regulate its cultivation and management by the government.

The L.I. is intended to provide guidelines for the medicinal and industrial use of cannabis, following the passage of the parent law by Parliament.

Agbodza has voiced apprehensions about the impact of the regulation, suggesting that it may exacerbate mental health conditions rather than contributing to the improvement of the country's economic fortunes.

“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?”

Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has countered concerns about the potential negative impacts of cannabis regulation. Dr. Ayine stated that research suggests countries that legalize the industrial use of cannabis could stand to benefit economically.

“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.”