‘Legalise marijuana’ pleads Prof Elijah Ngwale
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By Fulman Mukobeko.
Elijah Ngwale has intensified calls for the government to reconsider legalizing medicinal marijuana, citing its economic benefits and the success of developed countries that have already legalized it. As a subject of Paramount Chief Mpezeni of Eastern Province, Ngwale urged the government to establish a committee to explore the legalization of marijuana for both economic and medicinal purposes.
Ngwale, who has been a vocal advocate for medicinal cannabis alongside Peter Sinkamba of the Green Party notably on local television Muvi TV where the journey began, emphasized the need for a roadmap to overcome obstacles hindering the country’s progress toward legalization. He praised Sinkamba’s tireless efforts, which led to the partial legalization of medicinal marijuana under the previous government, and called on Chief Mpezeni to honor Sinkamba with a land grant.
Ngwale’s push for legalization is supported by research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, which highlights the economic benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana, including increased tax revenue and job creation ¹. Additionally, a study by the St. Louis Fed notes that states with medical marijuana laws have seen significant economic growth, with Colorado’s monthly recreational sales reaching around $90 million per month in 2018
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