AN EXAMINATION OF THE MEDICINAL USE OF CANNABIS: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES AND LESSONS FOR NIGERIA

Abstract

Clinical studies have demonstrated many therapeutic benefits of cannabis, which has been used 
for medicinal purposes for over 6000 years. Despite its curative properties and therapeutic 
advantages, many countries especially in the Caribbean and even in the West Africa sub-region 
such as; Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and 
Nevis, The Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands and Nigeria and Ghana respectively impose strict 
regulations due to the stigma attached to cannabis associated with its use as a medicine. The 
majority of these Caribbean and West African countries until recently, forbid the use of cannabis 
for either recreational or therapeutic purposes and impose severe punishments such as life 
imprisonment or a long term of years. However, history and modern research show that cannabis 
was used as a medicine in the past by different societies. Therefore, this article intends to 
examine the practice of some societies in using cannabis for medicinal purposes and the 
prospects of finding a legal framework for the control and regulation of the use of cannabis in 
Nigeria. In achieving the objective, the researcher uses a qualitative and doctrinal research 
methodology by analyzing previous literature using content analysis and drawing on the legal 
regime for the use of cannabis in some identified Caribbean countries. The doctrinal 
methodology was used to examine relevant provisions of the law, while the qualitative approach 
was also adopted in this article to explore secondary sources of information. The article also 
explores the prospects for cannabis as a treatment for various medical conditions, including 
chronic pain, nausea, and inflammation. This article provides a comprehensive examination of 
the medicinal use of cannabis, exploring its therapeutic potential, regulatory frameworks, and 
challenges associated with its implementation. The article investigates the current state of 
cannabis research, highlighting its benefits and risks, and discusses the experience of countries 
that have established medical cannabis programs. The analysis reveals a complex landscape of 
laws, regulations, and cultural attitudes, with implications for public health, economic 
development, and human rights. The article identifies key challenges, including regulatory 
hurdles, lack of standardization, and concerns around safety and efficacy. The findings of this 
article have significant implications for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers, 
and contribute to the ongoing debate about legalization and medicinal use of cannabis.