Why price of Cannabis is on the increase

Emeka Ibemere

Recent report released by Dr Adam R Winstock, Consultant Psychiatrist and Addiction Medicine Specialist and
Founder, Director of Global Drug Survey on The Global Drug Survey 2014, findings show that more people are hooking on cannabis and that the USA was the worst place to get caught with cannabis.

According to the researcher, United States of America is home to safest smokers with paltry 7% likely to smoke the drug with tobacco and with New Zealand scoring 25%.

“Our huge study of over 38,000 cannabis users showed that the USA was home to safest smokers with only 7% choosing to smoke cannabis with tobacco followed by NZ (25%) , compared to over 80% of smokers in most other countries”, the report stated.

“Although the most sensible cannabis smokers, the USA was the worst place to get caught with cannabis with over 17% reporting that it impacted on their education, employment, and travel. Our section defining the ‘perfect cannabis’ showed that the global dominance of high potency herbal preparation leaves many users far from satisfied”.

The report also said that despite high potency forms typically being rated the most potent and preferred form of cannabis across the globe. It said such forms were not without significant shortcomings.

“Memory, paranoia, impaired ability function, feeling uncomfortable when talking to others, distraction, the munchies, the urge to use more, restlessness, hangover effects, and harmful effects on the lungs were all aspects of the ‘stone’ on hydroponic / high potency preparations they users wanted less off”.

The report further argued that users indicated they wanted more sensory perpetual enhancement, more giggling, improved taste, stronger cannabis and an overall 25% increase in pleasurable effects.

The research said among all illegal drugs, cannabis was the drug that most people wanted to use; less of and help with in reducing their use.

According to the report, this confirmed that for some users, perhaps 10-20% cannabis could be associated with problems. For many dependent users, withdrawal on stopping would also be an issue with sleep disturbance, weird dreams, irritability, restlessness and craving being the major problems. The 2014 Global Drug Survey (GDS2014) conducted during November / December 2013 was the biggest survey of current drug use ever conducted. Published in eight languages and promoted through media partners in 17 countries, it received almost 80,000 responses. The results from each participating country have been released exclusively through media partners on April 14^th, 2014 along with some key global comparisons. The report also added that, “Participating countries included USA, UK, Australia, Germany, France, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark, New Zealand, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Mexico, Slovenia and Brazil.

The report also revealed that drugs prices varied widely and the average price of gram of high potency cannabis being 12 euros but varied almost fourfold from six euros in Spain to over 20 euros in Ireland. “Cocaine remained the most expensive drug at mean global single gram purchase price of 100 euros / gram (ranging in price from 50 in parts of Europe to over 250 in NZ, which also had the most expensive MDMA as well)”. It said regardless of price, cocaine was voted the worst value for money drug in the world, with a mean score of 3.4/10. MDMA was voted the best value for money drug in the world. “The Belgians were the most satisfied with their cocaine with a mean rating of 5.5/10 and the Australians the least with rating of 2.2”, The Global Drug Survey 2014, findings stated.

In Nigeria, price of cannabis market is attracting traffickers and more people are indulging in drug crime with specialization in cannabis because of its price value in black market.

Recent street market value of cannabis in Nigeria is high and the cost is alluring. A bag of Indian hemp or cannabis is sold at N104, 000 locally but sold at international market at N1.44million, if it managed cross the shores of Nigeria.

The recent arrest of a cannabis smuggler in Lagos State, Nigeria shows the high cost of cannabis across the globe.

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos said the Agency arrested a trader with 9.375kg of compressed cannabis hidden inside foodstuff.

The suspect was detained while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to China where drug trafficking attracts capital punishment.

NDLEA MMI Airport Commander, Hamza Umar gave the name of the suspect as Izuchukwu Jude Ekwosimba. According to Hamza, “officers detected the drug when the suspect, Izuchukwu Jude Ekwosimba came to check in his luggage on his way to China”, Hamza stated.

“The cannabis was concealed in dried fish, dried bitter leaf, crayfish, melon and other local food spices. The weight of the cannabis is 9.375kg”.

The 38-year-old family man and trader said that he was under pressure to pay his rent. According to Izuchukwu’s confessional statement,

“I sell clothes at Lagos Island and I live at Ikotun, Lagos with my wife and child. My business was doing well until I was duped the sum of five million naira. Since then, I have been living from hand to mouth. My greatest challenge now is the payment of my house rent and that of my shop. I bought the hemp for N104, 000 naira and I learnt that I could sell it for 9,000 dollars in China. I had no other source of getting the money that was the reason why I decided to smuggle drugs”. The suspect hails from Anambra State.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that he was happy that the arrest took place here in Nigeria thus preventing the suspect from possible death sentence in China.

“The Agency will continue to sensitise members of the public on the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse. This arrest is timely as it saved the life of the suspect and prevented the image of our country from being smeared,” Giade stated.

The NDLEA boss dismissed the suspect’s claim of financial difficulty stressing that somebody who could afford a return ticket, buy drug worth one hundred thousand naira with basic travel allowance could have conveniently settled his rent. Mitchell Ofoyeju told our correspondent that the suspect would soon be charged to court.

It would be recalled that Colorado legalised the drug for recreational use in November, 2012, in a ballot that coincided with the US presidential election and put it in the vanguard of the push for nationwide legalisation. Some Americans who reacted over the legalisation saw it as a usual thing just like the way people go to bar to buy drinks

It was further reported that Colorado was expected to earn $US67 million in tax revenue this year from legal sales of the drug. It was gathered that 348 marijuana business licences state-wide have been approved but that the local government areas in America can block approval of the shops if they choose.

However, in spite of the fact that the drug is now legal to buy; the consumption in open and public places is outlawed.

Marijuana for health purposes is legal and regulated in 19 US states. Uruguay becomes first nation to legalise marijuana trade. In Europe, Uruguayan government thinks legalising the sale of marijuana will deal with drug barons and their traffickers

Uruguay has become the first country in the world to make it legal to grow, sell and consume marijuana.

The law allowed registered Uruguayans over 18 years to buy up to 40g of the drug a month is not expected to come into force before April, 2014. Meanwhile, the legal sells of the drug has rekindled Nigerians who deals on the illicit drug to now shop the drug here before moving them to Europe and America. Instead of tackling the drug cartels in Europe and America, the law is empowering the barons in Africa to continue to be dealing in the illicit business.

Asides, the law have also pushed the cannabis-farming communities in Nigeria to continue to farm more cannabis especially now that there are serious markets for the drugs in America and Europe.

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says hundreds of more young Nigerians have been engaged in trafficking in drugs.

Nigerian borders are used daily by traffickers to smuggle Indian hemp into neighbouring countries.

An NDLEA source told Daily Newswatch that the agency wasn’t happy about the legalization of cannabis or Indian hemp by America and Uruguay. Our source stated further that the law would put Nigeria under pressure fighting the crime both locally and internationally. The source further hinted that despite the international criticism, the law attracted, American government still passed the law. He disclosed that the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) warned that the law was in complete flouting order to the provisions of the international drug treaties to which Uruguay and America are party to.

The INCB is an independent body of experts established by the United Nations to monitor countries' compliance with international drug treaties.

Cannabis, marijuana or Indian hemp can be inhale or smoked. It is substance alleged to be dangerous to health.

In Nigeria it’s known in various quarters with various names. It’s known as weed, pot, ganja, grass, shunk, gbana and Igbo. Report says that its origin could be traced to China in the 6000 BC, where its seeds were used for food and medicine, among many others.

The drug, which has a scientific name, Cannabis sativa, has been used throughout history in many cultures to change mood, perception and consciousness and ‘to get high’. There is superstitious belief that Indian hemp could inspires with its  effects on increased creativity, mystical powers, heightening the capacity to feel sense and share.

Experts say it is the most popular of the recreational drugs.

Before now, Indian hemp is the less trafficked drug by the suspected drug dealers. However, with turn of event following the need for the drug in America and other European countries in the recent times, the drug is fast taking over cocaine and heroin. Respectable professionals, University graduates and undergraduates, traders, importers are now indulge in trafficking hemp

Mitchell Ofoyeju decried the attitude of students involving in drug trafficking. The NDLEA spokesman blamed peer pressure and greed including get-rich -quick-syndrome as reasons why they deal on drugs.

Ahmadu Giade, the Chairman of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had, during the discovery of a cartel that specializes in cannabis smuggling through the conveyor belt at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, warned that agency would go all hug in prosecuting anybody found dealing in illicit drug.

 Recently, no fewer than 50 drugs suspected have cannabis smugglers have been arrested throughout the country. The suspects were all taking cannabis away from the Nigerian shores to Europe.

Few weeks ago, a 32 year old cell phone dealer at Computer Village, Lagos was nabbed with 22.490kg of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis.  The suspect, Okafor Obinna Michael was arrested while attempting to board an Emirate flight to China at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA).  The drug was disguised as food ingredients labelled African Food Source.

NDLEA Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar said that the seized cannabis was concealed in foodstuff and spices. “A business man by name Okafor Obinna Michael was found with 22.490kg of cannabis hidden inside foodstuff and cooking spices.

 The cannabis packed with crayfish, pepper and food ingredients was detected by officers during search operations,” Hamza stated. But the suspect in his statement said that he was tempted to smuggle drugs in search of basic travelling allowance.  

“My intention was to seek greener pastures in China. After buying my ticket, I had no more money on me. It was in the process of trying to get some money that made me to smuggle drugs. I was given the bag at the airport by a man who promised to pay me $1,000. He gave me $500 and I was to collect another $500, when I deliver the bag in China,” Okafor told investigators. He claimed to come from Aguata Local Government Area in Anambra State.

Giade called on members of the public not to travel out of the country without having enough money to take care of their basic needs.  “It is very risky to embark on a journey outside your country without having basic travel allowance. Such persons are exposed to temptations and vulnerable to crime in other to survive. People should look inwards to discover the economic opportunities that abound in our country,” Giade said.

Also apprehended at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, for importing 1.745 kilogrammes of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis popularly called Indian hemp was Udiomeh Kufre Ita.

The suspect was found in possession of the drug during the inward screening of passengers on an Africa World Airlines flight from Accra, Ghana at the weekend.

NDLEA Lagos Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar said that the drug was detected during routine screening of passengers.

“An undergraduate student was found in possession of two parcels of cannabis weighing 1.745kg during routine search of passengers”, Hamza said. “The drug was hidden inside his bag containing personal effects. He was immediately arrested and the case is under investigation”.

The suspect who reportedly gained admission into the faculty of Management Sciences at the Regent University is currently assisting narcotic investigators assigned to the case.

In his confessional statement, Udiomeh Kufre Ita said that he used his tuition fees in purchasing the drug found on him. According to the suspect; “I spent my school fees on cell phone, smoking hemp and attending night clubs. I bought a cell phone for N107, 000 and spent my school fees recklessly. I thought I could make enough profit from the sale of cannabis to offset the deficit in my tuition”, he cried. “I bought each parcel of hemp for 220 Ghana cedi. I did not know what came over me and I am afraid to go to my parents. My father is a retiree”. Kufre Ita hails from Akwa-Ibom State but grew up in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Ahmadu Giade described the action of the student as shameful and sad. “This is very shameful and sad. It shows that the suspect is morally bankrupt. Students must understand that drug use is inimical to the pursuit of their academic goals,” Giade stated.  The NDLEA boss called on members of the public to avoid drug use and support the fight against drugs. “Abstinence from drug use is the best solution but those who have problem with drug use should please seek professional help before it is too late. Let us support the anti-drug campaign for a peaceful and fulfilled life,” Giade added.

NDLEA spokesman said the Lagos State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in 2013 arrested 490 suspected drug traffickers comprising 439 males and 51 females. According to him, 79 offenders were convicted for drug related crimes while 128 cases are pending in court. It was gathered that a total of 9,163.963kg of narcotic drugs mainly cannabis also known as marijuana were seized from drug traffickers within the State.  Lagos State Commander, Mr Sule Aliyu who gave the breakdown of the seized drugs said that no fewer than 320 drug addicts were successfully counselled during the period under review. He said. “The seized drugs include cannabis 9,047.675kg, psychotropic substances 78.15kg, methamphetamine 33.734kg, heroin 2.703kg and cocaine 1.701kg”. 

According to Sule, the command is confronted with the challenge of cannabis use and trafficking among youths and illegal methamphetamine production laboratories.

“We are making steady progress in tackling the abuse of cannabis among youths in the State as well as tracing methamphetamine production factories in Lagos. The large cannabis seizure made in 2013 and the illegal drug factories uncovered in residential areas within Lagos require active participation of stakeholders in drug control programmes,” the Commander stated.

The Command claimed that the Lagos Command carried out community mobilisation and enlightenment efforts in 2013.

These, the commander said included the establishment of drug free clubs in schools, anti-drug awareness campaigns at motor parks, churches and mosques.

Speaking on the Command’s plan for 2014, Sule said that he hopes to surpass and build on past records. He also added that the proposed ban on public smoking would help in advancing the fight against cannabis abuse in the State. But with the legalisation of cannabis in Europe and America, NDLEA is faced with bigger challenges more so when they are operating with lean funds. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the spokesman for the agency added that all the suspects are going trial in different courts in Nigeria.