Kenyans have expressed mixed reactions after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supported the reclassification of marijuana, as a less risky drug.
These reactions came after scientists from the U.S Food and Drug Administration on Monday, January 15 concluded in their research that marijuana has less potential for abuse than other drugs with the same restrictions and it should be reclassified as a less dangerous drug.
According to the scientists, there exists evidence backing the use of Marijuana for medicinal purposes and in clinical practice.
As such, Kenyans online came out reacting to the reclassification with a mix of excitement, caution and skepticism.
Kenyans Reactions
While expressing his disapproval of the move, a user on X named S.A Runda recalled a student’s past experience with bhang.
“If bhang is not harmful then why did our UoN first year comrade back in ’98 suddenly develop a phobia for light that he put heavy blankets on the curtain rails and spent three days under the bed?
“We dragged him out blindfolded, screaming and kicking to take him to the sick bay!” he wrote.
Ben Okkali who strongly opposed the move stated that, “Tell people you don’t know what you’re talking about. If KDA thinks it good for people let them be an example.”
The moment you involve FDA, just know that’s not the real weed. It’s the new strains that just dumb you down and keep you lazy and unproductive na ivo ndio tuliwacha bangi,” John Wade noted.
Also Read: Ledama Olekina Asks President Ruto to Legalize Marijuana
Furthermore, some users alleged that the move was a plan to normalize the use of Marijuana.
“Because the “wataalamu” are heavy users and they want everybody to be like them. We are using the pretext of experts to normalize everything bad in this world,” Justus Kemboi tweeted.
Nonetheless, a section of netizens were happy with the reclassification of bhang as a less rosky drug.
Gakobo Chege while vauching for the move said, “the herb has never been bad, it’s the abuse of it that is bad same way people abuse drugs like aspirin and peryton from the chemist.”
Ambrose Jakarading humorously quoted a biblical verse while expressing his support.
“Genesis 1:29 states, And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth.’ This verse is often cited to support the belief that cannabis, as a plant with seeds, is divinely sanctioned for consumption,” he said.
Wajackoya Supporting Marijuana in 2022
The discussion on the legality and use of marijuana is not new on the Kenyan space.
In 2022, Presidential aspirant George Wajackoya during his campaigns chanted the song of legalizing marijuana and planting them across the express way.
According to Wajackoya, commercializing weed would help the country settle its debts.
“Kenya is in debt, and Kenya borrows Ksh. 2B every day, and it keeps on borrowing and borrowing. I would like to pay off the Chinese debt and the shortest way to pay it is by legalizing and growing Marijuana for commercial and medicinal purposes,” Wajackoyah said during his presidential run in 2022.
Also Read: Why Marijuana Could Soon Cure Stress
Reconsidering the Dangers of Marijuana
The move to reconsider the dangers of marijuana first began in 2022, when US President Joe Biden asked Xavier Becerra, Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) and the attorney general to review how marijuana is scheduled under the federal law.
As part of that process, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Rachel Levine wrote a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in August supporting the reclassification of marijuana to a Schedule III drug, a list that includes ketamine, testosterone and Tylenol with codeine.
“The agency recommends rescheduling marijuana because it meets three criteria: A lower potential for abuse than other Schedule I and II substances; an accepted medical use; and a low or moderate risk of physical dependence in people who abuse it,” the FDA documents states.
“Although marijuana is widely used for recreational purposes, it doesn’t seem to trigger the serious outcomes that drugs such as heroin, oxycodone and cocaine do,” the researchers stressed.
Medical Marijuana
The data also revealed that there are some credible levels of scientific support for therapeutic uses of marijuana being used in clinical practice in the United States.
The researchers identified anorexia, pain, nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy as some of the conditions in which marijuana has been used.
Also, the scientists revealed that marijuana withdrawal syndrome has only been reported in heavy, chronic users.
“The marijuana withdrawal syndrome appears to be relatively mild compared to the withdrawal syndrome associated with alcohol, which can include more serious symptoms such as agitation, paranoia, seizures and even death,” they added.
To add on that, Kenya’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act states that:
“Any person who has in his possession any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance shall be guilty of an offence.” This includes cannabis.
