MP’s plan to have marijuana legalised angers Mututho

A police officer displays a bhang haul impounded in Kisii in April 2018. Former Nacada chairman John Mututho has opposed a proposal by Kibra MP Ken Okoth to legalise the growth and use of bhang in Kenya. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He questioned why Mr Okoth would seek for the legalisation of a drug that is addictive and affects the functionality of the human brain.
  • Mr Mututho asked MPs to shoot down the proposal once it is tabled in Parliament.
  • He said the move by Mr Okoth is an abuse of law “as it seeks to justify evil things”.

Former chairman of the National Agency for the Campaign against Drug Abuse (Nacada) John Mututho has opposed plans to legalise the growth and use of marijuana (bhang) in Kenya.

Mr Mututho said decriminalising the drug, as proposed by Kibra MP Ken Okoth who has written to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi seeking for facilitation in preparing the Marijuana Control Bill, will hurt the youth.

“These are dangerous substances. I get surprised when an honourable member of Parliament comes and starts to [try to] gain popularity by [advocating] for an illegality to make it legal, just as they did with portable spirits standards,” said Mr Mututho Sunday in Nyeri town.

SHOOT DOWN BILL

He asked MPs to shoot down the proposal once it is tabled in Parliament, insisting that the lawmaker is seeking popularity through the proposed Bill.

He questioned why Mr Okoth would seek for the legalisation of a drug that is addictive and affects the functionality of the human brain.

“There is no way anybody who values humanity and knows the value of a human being can support this move. MPs have a moral obligation to protect our children,” noted the former Nacada boss.

Mr Mututho is currently working as an advisor to the Kiambu County government on the implementation of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2018.

The Kibra MP is seeking regulation for the growth and safe use of marijuana as well as progressive taxation measures for the industry, in order to boost economic independence and job creation.

ABUSE OF LAW

But Mr Mututho said the move is an abuse of law “as it seeks to justify evil things”.
“There is no way we can have cannabis as part of our menu. Let’s have logic. Why do we have to legalise something that affects the functionality of the brain?” posed Mr Mututho.

Noting that a South African constitutional court approved the private use and cultivation of the stimulant recently, Mr Mututho said Kenya should not borrow such laws.

Other than having the consumption of bhang legalised, Mr Okoth’s Bill also seeks for the registration of growers, producers, manufacturers and users.

He also wants protection of children or minors from its illicit use.