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Some call it 'ntampee', some call it the weed or 'popo', others call it marijuana - the Rastafarians have nicknamed it ganja – but the question is, should cannabis be legalized for free use in public?

Legendary Jamaican reggae musician, Peter Tosh once called for the legalization of marijuana so he can advertise it – his plea is yet to be heard.

Many prominent people have also called for the legalization – notable among them in recent times is the former UN Secretary General Kofi Atta Annan.

Mr Annan joined the crusade for passing into law the use of cannabis in an article published by an international media – but was emphatic that a regulations must be put in place by governments to curtail abuse.

“And therefore, the fourth and final step is to recognize that drugs must be regulated precisely because they are risky. It is time to acknowledge that drugs are infinitely more dangerous if they are left solely in the hands of criminals who have no concerns about health and safety.”

“…Legal regulation protects health. Consumers need to be aware of what they are taking and have clear information on health risks and how to minimize them. Governments need to be able to regulate vendors and outlets according to how much harm a drug can cause. The most risky drugs should never be available “over the counter” but only via medical prescription for people registered as dependent users, as is already happening in Switzerland,” he said in his article. 

His suggestion has raised many questions with some Ghanaians kicking against the public use of weed – but some are fully backing his motives.

Discussing the certification of weed on Peace FM’s flagship morning show Kokrokoo the Central Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party [NPP] Kwamena Duncan noted that argument proferred by the illustrious son of Ghana in his article must be considered by government.

According to him, there must be an education on the side effects of the use of cannabis to buttress Kofi Annan’s supplication so that the youth won’t abuse it.

“What will be the benefits if someone uses cannabis? Will that person be arrested and still continue using it in prison? Then why don’t we rather educate the people and legalize it? We must look careful at the laws of hard drugs whether it has led to the cause. We have to take a second look at the international and national policy on hard drugs,” he said. 
 
He advised that before anyone will chastise Kofi Annan’s suggestion – “The person must have time to read through his article. I have read it and I am getting convinced on the use of cannabis.”

“Other countries have legalized it [Weed] and controlling and monitoring it. The taxes it brings in, the medical benefits are overwhelming. Analysis say cannabis is rather helping humanity. I agree with Mr Kofi Annan,” Kwamena backed the former UN Sec Gen.