Not in a million years!

Many countries with the exception of none, have began to think twice about the most prohibited, most dangerous and most ancient societal element- the use of narcotics, in simple terms, use of drugs like cocaine, marijuana and heroine.

Never had the use of marijuana, a.k.a weed/cannabis been a controversial subject, for it is a straightforwardly prohibited act. It has always been illegal to consume marijuana, cultivate it or trade it. If an individual was caught doing any of the above, they were subjected to prison sentences.

Prisons still open their arms to people caught trading or using marijuana but the trend seems to be taking a new twist with very many governments having legalized it and many others in the process of legalizing the use of marijuana.

Question is why now? Why is it that as a country develops, such things that were perceived as no-go areas suddenly consume us? Is it that marijuana has suddenly lost its addictive qualities or is it that scientists have discovered proteins in it? Of course not!

The simple answer is that the world has indeed fast and surely turned into a complete capitalist economy! In the eyes of the policy makers, nothing is that bad as long as it can be measured in monetary value- that is to say, if drug dealers can be taxed to fill our coffers then there should be no problem.

They argue that instead of chasing after drug users and dealers, marijuana and other drugs like it should be legalized and regulated for the benefit of the country; they even say that when it is legalized, people will come out and admit to addictions - such is an annoyingly weak argument in my opinion.

If we are to go this way, soon we’ll hear about moves to legalize the open trading of guns, bombs, I mean, all these ridiculous ideas will sternly test society’s resolve due to the selfish nature of today’s economy.

Can you imagine how terrified people will be? A taxi driver will be able to access all kinds of drugs he wants and even have the rights to brag about which is the best, school kids will have easy access to these drugs since they will roam around without halt, and so on.

What people forget is that when someone consumes marijuana, it becomes their remote control. Without it, they can do nothing sensible and with it, they can still do nothing sensible; generally when one gets hooked, it’s the end of the road; there is no light at the end of the tunnel, not until they seek help off it.

I would understand the use of marijuana for medical purposes, which is perhaps one of the arguments being seconded in several parliaments including ours, but this is a very simple case which should not be sorted by a whole controversial process of legalization.

The government can open space for the importation or even cultivation of marijuana, but only by the drugs authority or the responsible ministry- that is all that is needed. Whoever is then caught using it should be punished as it has always been done.

ivan.mugisha@newtimes.co.rw
@RushAfrican on Twitter