NDLEA Alerts Nigerians: No Approved Medicinal Cannabis in the Country

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a public warning about the circulation of dangerous illicit substances being falsely marketed as medicinal cannabis across the country.

According to the agency, credible intelligence led to the arrest of a 28-year-old suspect, Afeez Salisu, popularly known as Malu, on November 1, 2025, at 2 Akala Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos.

In a statement released on Wednesday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, Salisu was allegedly involved in packaging and distributing synthetic and high-potency cannabis strains—such as Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud—disguised as medicinal cannabis in designer pouches and cups. A total of 16.4 kilograms of the substances were recovered during the operation.

Babafemi cautioned that the seized products, falsely labelled as medicinal, were in fact dangerous psychoactive substances with severe health risks. He emphasized that these high-potency strains are addictive and can cause serious mental health issues, including psychosis, acute anxiety, paranoia, and long-term cognitive damage, especially among young users.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), condemned the exploitation of public interest in medicinal cannabis by criminal elements seeking to sell illegal drugs. He reiterated that cannabis remains prohibited in Nigeria, stressing that any product sold locally under the guise of “medicinal cannabis” is fake, harmful, and illegal.

Marwa urged Nigerians, particularly the youth, not to be deceived by attractive packaging or health-related claims and encouraged citizens to report anyone involved in the sale or distribution of such products to the nearest NDLEA office.

The agency noted that the latest alert aligns with ongoing efforts to curb the growing trend of disguising illicit substances as therapeutic or wellness products, adding that no medicinal cannabis product has been approved for sale or use in Nigeria.