The Mental Health Authority has called for a balanced debate on the legalization of cannabis in Ghana.
Some persons and groupings are calling on the government to legalize cannabis popularly known in Ghana as ‘wee’ saying it can improve the economic fortunes of the country.
The Mental Health Authority has objected to the legalization on many platforms as it claims that the substance will expose users to health hazards.
Mr Kweku Brobbey, Head of Communication at the Mental Health Authority, on Tuesday, urged organizations especially non-governmental organizations to discuss the negative effects of cannabis usage before action is taken.
Mr Brobbey was speaking at the launch of the second phase of the “Alcohol and drug abuse prevention project,” an initiative by the AA Commaid Foundation in collaboration with Queens and Queens mothers.
He reiterated that his outfit was strongly against legalization noting that “if we legalize it, there will be spillovers; it will harm the economy,” adding that Ghana is not well structured to handle such spillovers.
Mrs Juliana Amankwah-Marfo, Senior Regulatory Officer, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), on her part said her outfit recorded drug abuse-related accidents as some drivers laced energy drinks with illegal drugs.
Mrs Amankwah-Marfo advised the youth to desist from using illegal substances and abuse of all forms of drugs saying that substance abuse was becoming alarming as some mixed mint toffees with energy drinks in a bid to ‘get high’.
She added that the public must also avoid second-hand smoking as they get cancer from being around smokers.