Currently with 2,454 supporters and still counting, the petition for the legalization of weed that was started 4 days ago by Gwada Ogot has become the talk of the town. "Back in the day before colonialists came, weed/marijuana was legal. When the white man came, they made it illegal. So when we say legalize weed today, we are practically reinstating its freedom," Ogot pointed out during an interview on kissFM. He also pointed out "The countries leading in cannabis research are Spain, Israel and USA. They have however kept that information to themselves and the very people who made cannabis illegal here in our country are now legalizing it in their countries and we need to figure out why."
During the interview a number of listeners called in to share their concerns about the legalization of weed. Most of the concerns center around the abuse of weed and the fact that it could bring about addiction among the youth hence crippling our society. The researcher Ogot elaborately explained that all the issues most people are concerned about can be solved with a proper regulatory and moderation system for the supply of weed. "The same way alcohol and cigarettes are currently being regulated, is the same way weed should be regulated. We need to ask ourselves why now, why is there a sudden global effort to legalize marijuana?"
Ogot stated that over 5 states have legalized weed in the past one month. It is about time that we start making our own drugs and stop relying on western medicine. "We have to acknowledge the fact that we found this plant on earth and that people were using it. They are still using it now and the next generation will still use it even after we die. Who are we to declare it illegal if it was used back then and it will be used even after we die? So whether we say yes or no to legalizing it, the fact is that the plant will still be used. We need to question ourselves and ask what the rest of the world is seeing that we are not," Ogot emphasized.
"Based on research, the Cannabis plant can be used to make twine, fuel, cooking oil, paint, paper which saves trees as you will not have to cut them down again to make paper and cotton which is 10 times stronger than the normal cotton being produced currently. In addition, the sativa indica plant has high THC levels which can be used for pharmaceutical purposes as well as leisure" Ogot stated. "Keep in mind that which you are told is not, might be it and that which you are told is, probably is not" Ogot cautioned as he made it clear that the problem is not the plant. "The problem is the law that criminalizes it which is why I petitioned for marijuana to be legalized."
While some of the people are complaining about the leisure aspect of weed, most are looking at the level of economic growth it could bring into the country. "The ability to make cannabis manufactured products such as cosmetics, twine, cooking oil among others gives a chance to innovative Kenyans to start something new as it has several business opportunities," Ogot concluded.
