Gwada Ogot, the man behind a petition to legalize planting, sale or trade in cannabis sativa on Thursday appeared before The Senate Health Committee to defend his proposal.
Ogot, a resident of Siaya county, argues in his petition that the plant has a myriad of documented benefits.
“I pray the House recommends amnesty for all people jailed for possession, usage, sale, cultivation and transportation of cannabis sativa. Criminalising cannabis creates criminals where none existed,” Mr Ogot said.
If his proposal goes through, bhang will be deleted from the list of narcotic drugs in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1994.
He is also advocating for the establishment of a Cannabis regulatory body-Cannabis Sativa Board of Kenya (CSBK), to oversee the sector to ensure planting, trade, and consumption of the drug.
The committee, chaired by Migori Senator, Dr Wilfred Machage, will seek public views on the matter before preparing a report about the viability of the proposal.
The first public proponents of the petition have come from Kenyans on Twitter who took to the social media platform to air their views.
Using the hashtag #BhangPetition, below are some of their reactions:
#BhangPetition was it ever illegal? Its all over.. ? ?
— Duke Kamanda (@Kamandah_Duke) April 6, 2017
#BhangPetition Its only illegal on Paper. In the streets, its easily available than Water in most Nairobi households.
— Mr. Kinangop (@SK_Njoroge) April 6, 2017
I don’t wanna drink and drive, I wanna smoke weed and fly #BhangPetition
— Son Of The West? (@vincentjared1) April 6, 2017
2 committees to be chosen. Those for to smoke it while those against to remain sober we see who’ll come up with better points #BhangPetition
— IamConstato (@ConstatoAsirvex) April 6, 2017
Marijuana can change the structure of sperm cells @NACADAKenya @Joseous_ #BhangPetition
— Carolyne Gathoni (@lyn_msoh) April 6, 2017
Cannabis oil has been proven to cure asthma and many cancer types #BhangPetition
— Chris Kabata Kahwai (@kaduck69) April 6, 2017
Why are we even having that conversation honestly #BhangPetition @NACADAKenya @EvelynneNana @Joseous_ @Gmmunyoki @PolycarpHinga
— Carolyne Gathoni (@lyn_msoh) April 6, 2017
kuenda class nikiwa high alafu nascore the highest this is beyond human understanding hamuezi prove na science #BhangPetition
— newton atkings (@NewtonAtkings) April 6, 2017
Cigarettes are more harmful than weed. Scientifically proven#BhangPetition
— Martin kirimi (@Martoh101) April 6, 2017
Is marijuana really illegal in Kenya, how comes it’s easy to get than the legal things #BhangPetition
— vincent baraza (@vincentbaraza) April 6, 2017
“@K_nurd: #BhangPetition
Legalize weed, even the Bible says soGenesis 1 vs 29 pic.twitter.com/0LpOtpRQIS”
— ⇘♣«Kenzy Muthuri»♣⇙ (@kenzyM_) April 6, 2017
Legalization will make Kenya the first African Destination globally, good for our dwindling tourism and opening new ops #BhangPetition
— eddy mo (@eddy7mo) April 6, 2017
#BhangPetition nice petition in kisii there are no tractors to farm but bhang is the only fuel that powers people to farm like tractors
— justin orangi (@justin_orangi) April 6, 2017
Seriously ? what should be banned in kenya ? #BhangPetition pic.twitter.com/fdVtIIwSp1
— Towett (@TowettKE) April 6, 2017
#bhangpetition stoner’s convention pic.twitter.com/PNlySBvEXg
— Young Khalifa (@17Lucaz) April 6, 2017
#BhangPetition
I don’t smoke weed
I only burn plants and breathe— DANCAN SHIUNDU (@muyokani_) April 6, 2017
Well, weed will eventually become legal. And if Kenya wants to dominate the market it should start now. #BhangPetition
— Jeff (@JEFFXJAMLICK) April 6, 2017
@lyn_msoh @NACADAKenya @Maigua_TS @ItsPettyWap @Ayoti16 legalize Cannabis(marijuana) if intended for use as a psychoactive drug or medicine and made available to hospitals only #BhangPetition
— Jose ng’ash (@Joseous_) April 6, 2017
#BhangPetition ikiwa legal the government will start taxing us for it…shash will be 100 n bush fifty???
— jacqueline ngabo (@ms_ngabo1jay) April 6, 2017
Stoners going online to check the #BhangPetition ?? pic.twitter.com/zAineXQz8E
— Grimm (@GrmmrpR) April 6, 2017
#BhangPetition he’ll yes??
— The weed advocate (@dudzy_rap) April 6, 2017
#BhangPetition I have seen people I’ve never seen on twitter for the 1st time on Twitter on this hashtag. I’m not pointing fingers ???
— Njoki James (@Jaymoestan) April 6, 2017
*hits blunt*
How can a HIGH court illegalize weed #BhangPetition— Victor (@_gachau_) April 6, 2017
#BhangPetition when bhang becomes legal pic.twitter.com/vlLKcQwAQZ
— ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ (@skratch_here) April 6, 2017
