Sowore Proposes Exporting Cannabis to Fund Nigeria's Medicine Needs

Sowore Proposes Exporting Cannabis to Fund Nigeria's Medicine Needs

Sowore made the remarks during an appearance on the BTC Podcast, where he explained that cannabis contains THC, which he identified as the component responsible for the feeling of being high.

He noted that the plant can be consumed in different forms, stressing that smoking is just one method of intake. "Cannabis has just 3% of what they call THC, which is the one that makes people high. Cannabis can be consumed in more than one way.

The smoking is the device that people use so that they can inhale it, it gets faster. Cannabis can be eaten as brownies. Cannabis can be cooked, you know," he said.

Addressing the perception that he personally consumes cannabis, Sowore made it clear that he does not, but he argued that the plant has several industrial applications that are often overlooked.

According to him, the stem of the cannabis plant is ideal for making clothes, and recent discoveries have shown that cannabis fibre can be used to produce high-quality building blocks.

He claimed that houses built with cannabis fibre would require less air conditioning because the material helps regulate temperature naturally.

The AAC presidential candidate stressed that the most important aspect of cannabis is its medicinal value, which he believes Nigeria should be exploiting. "Most important, it's medicine.

So my proposal is for us to actually be exporting it and raising money for medicine," he said.

He argued that Nigeria should look beyond the recreational use of the plant and develop policies capable of harnessing its potential for economic and healthcare benefits .

To support his argument, Sowore cited the example of Canada, which legalised cannabis in 2018. He claimed that Canada generates approximately $4 billion annually from the cannabis sector, and he believes Nigeria could tap into a similar revenue stream if it took a more progressive approach to the plant.

"In 2018, most countries are not even legalizing cannabis. But Canada legalized around that period, and Canada is making four billion dollars every year," he said.

Sowore's proposal has generated mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians supporting his call for a more open-minded approach to cannabis and others mocking him over the suggestion.

The debate reflects broader conversations in Nigeria and other African countries about the potential medical, industrial, and economic uses of cannabis, alongside concerns about regulation, abuse, and public health.