Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has urged President William Ruto to legalize marijuana.
According to Ledama, having hemp as one of Kenya’s commercial products will ‘evaporate’ the country’s problems instead of focusing on Genetically Modified crops (GMO).
Senator Olekina insisted that the effects of GMO are harsh.
“Instead of talking about #GMO which we all know it’s advance effects (transfer of antibiotic resistance, toxicity and allergenicity), Ruto should just legalize Marijuana and promote Hemp as a commercial product trust me all our problems will evaporate,” Ledama noted.
While chairing a cabinet meeting on Monday, October 3, Ruto announced the lifting of the 2012 moratorium which restricted importation or open cultivation of GMO crops.
As a result, Kenyan farmers will now be able to plant genetically engineered crops and animal feeds.
The move to lift ban on GMOs is expected to increase food and animal feed production in the country.
However, there have been concerns pertaining to Genetically Modified Crops, on its potential harmful effects on smallholder farms, existing crops, the environment, and people’s long-term health.
While giving his opinion, Olekina said that it is better the country legalizes bhang as opposed to lifting the GMO ban.
Moreover, the Senator Olekina has been advocating for the legalization of marijuana in Kenya, citing the plant’s economic and health benefits.
In addition, a video shared on twitter in 2020 showing the legislator standing inside a marijuana plantation in Lithuania, Europe, saying he wondered why the plant is still illegal in Kenya, and that the law is part of the old ways.
Furthermore, the late Kibra MP Ken Okoth in 2018 tabled the Marijuana Control Bill 2018 in the National Assembly.
The bill sought to legalize the use of marijuana and set up regulations for growth and use of the herb.
Also Read: Experts Say Consumption of GMO Crops Pose no Health Risks
Similarly, in 2017, two Kenyan researchers, Gwada Ogot and Simon Mwaura blazed the trail in petitioning Parliament to legalize cannabis.
Likewise, Raila Junior championed the legalization of medicinal marijuana noting that there is need to legalize medical marijuana, to help sick people who will need marijuana in their treatment.
