Roots party presidential aspirant and lawyer Professor George Wajackoyah vow to legalise bhang should he be elected as Kenya’s fifth president in the fast-approaching August polls.
According to Wajackoyah, Kenya has failed to capitalize on the booming trade in marijuana owing to the fact that the crop has been stigmatized in most African societies ever since colonial masters labelled it as harmful.
“The white settlers came here and said that bhang is bad, but I don’t see any problem with it. I don’t smoke bhang personally, but my son does, and I can’t just disown him for that when others are over-indulging in illicit brews,” Prof. Wajackoyah said.
Wajackoyah is also of the opinion that commercializing the crop will greatly augment the country’s economy if marijuana cultivation is prioritised by the next government thanks to the plant’s medicinal benefits.
“Bhang should also be grown here just like in America. Even in Jamaica bhang is cultivated and sold. Our job will be to grow it and sell it to those who use it. Such ventures will gain the country additional capital,” he said.
“Let us face reality. If we have the means to boost our economy let us do so. Bhang can make medicine, soaps, lotions and the seeds are a great source of plant-based proteins,” he added.
Wajackoyah similarly stated that he is prepared to counter the perceived resistance that his proposal would evoke among some of the country’s residents.
“I will be the first president in Africa to legalise and export bhang, if they want to cast me out because of that it’s okay with me,” he said.
The recent promise comes in the backdrop of many promises by presidential hopeful’s who have promised different promises to the electorate, from repayment of the national debt in two years, to offering a Ksh.6000 monthly stipend to low-income households and introducing free university education.
