This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
On August 3, 2019, the world lost a champion legislator, Ken Okoth, who had been a strong advocate for medical marijuana. His passing serves as a reminder of the importance of this topic.
Medical marijuana, or hemp, has been a billion-dollar industry worldwide, with numerous applications in medical use and a history dating back to 8,000 years ago. The plant's extracts contain linolenic acids, an Omega-3 fatty acid that has proven results in preventing coronary heart diseases, which continue to claim lives in Kenya and globally.
Cannabis oil extract also contains sterols, which are medically used in lowering cholesterol. Consistent intake of sterols lowers the risk of suffering a heart attack. Aliphatic alcohols in cannabis seed oil reduce platelet aggregation, while phytol has proven anti-cancer benefits and acts as an antioxidant.
The benefits of medical marijuana are numerous. It can aid in dermatological diseases, lipid metabolism, and is reported to be medically beneficial to people with autoimmune diseases. In terms of nutritional benefits, it contains vitamins A, C, and E, and is rich in minerals like phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and calcium.
With the state of health in Africa and the cost of healthcare in Kenya, the Ministry of Health should have fast-tracked research on the benefits of this high-yield and drought-resistant crop, which would save lives and boost the economy.
Western countries, China, and India have applied medical marijuana and are reaping billions of dollars from a crop that would thrive well in Africa, particularly in Kenya. Lesotho led the way in legalization, but Kenya's leadership seems to prioritize taxes and kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies over the apparent health and social-economic benefits of medical marijuana.
It's time for our leadership to be bold enough and take on the world in terms of medical progress and overall policy. After all, most of the medicines we use are foreign formulas that keep their royalties and revenues growing. Legalize medical marijuana, and let's move forward with the same pace as our colonial masters.
