"And at least two American states have recently passed legislation allowing cannabis or its derivatives to be used medicinally in low doses."

Eighteen American states, and the District of Columbia, have legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes. This has been going on since California did it in 1996. What happened in the last election cycle (November 6th) was that two states, Washington and Colorado, legalized cannabis for any purpose an adult of 21 years or more might have.

“Smoke from cannabis contains thousands of chemical compounds--and the tar is chemically similar to what is found in cigarette smoke, including the same carcinogens.”

The largest study of cannabis smoker to date, carried out by Dr. Donald Tashkin, showed no connection between cannabis smoking and lung cancer. In fact, cannabis smokers who also smoked tobacco showed lower incidence of lung cancer than those who smoked only tobacco.

“It also rubbishes the justification that marijuana is not physically addictive.”

Marijuana is less physically addictive than caffeine. The withdrawal symptoms are less severe than those from abstaining from your morning cup of coffee.

"We cannot just allow marijuana to be used by Nigerians. Most would rather abuse it.”

It’s unfortunate that the elites don’t think that ordinary people have any self-control.

What mistrust of your own people. In the west legalization apparently is ok, but you don't trust your own people to use it responsably...

If that were the case, alcohol should be the main problem in Nigeria, since alcohol is really addictive (physically) whereas marijuana only gives a slight tolerance similar to cofffee. Also it is totally non-toxic (except for smoke, which always is) in contrast to opiates (codeine), alcohol, nicotine.

The prohibition of marijuana is absurd. In most (western) countries, use has decreased after legalization. I'm dutch myself, and use in Holland is 3 times lower than in France, where it is strictly prohibited (but everyone does it anyways).

The only effect of prohibition is that criminals instead of the state earn money, and the product is mixed and could be bad for your health just for that reason.

I cannot understand that poor countries go along with this USA-induced prohibition, only enforced to protect vested interests of western industries such as tobacco and alcohol multinationals, not to forget the pharmaceutical industry that fears the potential that cannabis (the real name of marijuana) has.

Don't let yourselves be fooled by dark forces behind the scenes that only want to oppress people for their own gains! Legalize it!

Prohibition has finally run its course; the lives and livelihoods of hundred's of millions of people worldwide have been destroyed or severely disrupted; many countries that were once shining beacons of liberty and prosperity have become toxic, repressive, smoldering heaps of hypocrisy, and a gross affront to fundamental human decency. It is now the duty of every last one of us to insure that the people who are responsible for this shameful situation are not simply left in peace to enjoy the wealth and status that their despicable actions have, until now, afforded them. Former and present Prohibitionists must not be allowed to remain untainted and untouched from the unconscionable acts that they have viciously committed on their fellow human beings. They have provided us with neither safe communities nor safe streets. We will provide them with neither a safe haven to enjoy their ill-gotten gains nor the liberty to repeat such a similar atrocity.

Prohibition has (again) evolved local gangs into transnational enterprises with intricate power structures that reach into every corner of society, helping them control vast swaths of territory while gifting them with significant social and military resources.

Those responsible for this shameful policy should not go unpunished!

no