It is the most commonly abused drug in The Gambia. Abuse by many youngsters these days, these sensitive plants grown in many parts of the world are fast, and are doing more harm than good in society.
While other territories place strict measures to deter its abuse, Cannabis is increasingly normalized and legalized across some jurisdictions.
It is in our Wednesday’s edition that operatives of the Gambia Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) in collaboration with the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) have uncovered what is believed to be a major breakthrough in the seizure of 60 cannabis farms in Jinack Islands in the North Bank Region.
The discovery comes following a well-coordinated intensified crackdown on drugs and clandestine activities in that part of North Bank Region.
Historically, Jinack Island is long considered a forbidden zone for law enforcement due to a deep-rooted superstition, warning uniformed officers risked death or dismissal if they enter the village. This belief, that many locals hide behind to undertake large scale cultivation of this illegal drug, is a thing of the past now.
This recent security-bust, which led to seizure of 60 cannabis farms in Jinack, is a perfect case in point.
Whatever the case, this should not give license to people to undertake large cultivation of these illegal drugs.
Cannabis still remains illegal in The Gambia. Thus, communities should join the fight to create more awareness about this drug.
This widely abused drug is doing more harm than good in many communities and it is time to wage a war against its proliferation.
We want to applaud DLEAG operatives in collaboration with the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) for their bravery and sense of patriotism. This is what patriotism calls for giving yourself in the service of the nation.
They defy all the odds just to serve the Gambia.
While researchers continue to learn about the long-term effects of marijuana use, studies have shown that using marijuana during adolescence or young adulthood — before your brain fully develops — may affect how one’s brain builds connections for certain functions, like attention, memory and learning. These effects may last a long time or even be permanent. Others believe that smoking any product, including marijuana, can damage your lungs, increase your risk of bronchitis and scar small blood vessels. It is said that smoking it can also increase one’s risk of stroke, heart disease and other vascular diseases.
Though, people tend to differ over the use of marijuana with some encouraging its smoke based on medical grounds even though they can’t state any general benefits of marijuana with certainty. This is because there isn’t enough research yet about the medical benefits of the substance, especially long-term effects. In addition, marijuana tends to affect different people in many different ways. Let’s stay away from drugs.