
The debate to legalise marijuana in Kenya is hot and has turned too emotive even for Parliament to touch.
Yesterday, as the world marked 4/20, which is considered World Weed Day, a couple of celebrities came out to address the issue.
Prominent personalities across the globe have been vocal about the consumption of the herb, urging states to look into decriminalising its use and instead create regulations about its production and distribution.
Globally, some nations have passed legislation allowing its growth and use.
"I recommend the 4:20 culture, and in fact, every April 20 should be made a public holiday or recognised as a special day. My take on the legalisation of weed is that I support the move, but from a medicinal point of view, since personally I think it has medically-proven benefits. I am not an abuser of bhang, but if it can save a life, why not legalise it?" says Gengetone singer Kushman.
The same push saw Sol Generation's Bensoul release his 15-track album Lion of Sudah on 4/20 at 4.20pm. Bensoul is a marijuana advocate, and supporter of its legalisation and destigmatising its medical and personal use.
The birth of 4/20
Five high school youngsters in San Rafael, California, popularised the phrase "4:20" about a plot to look for a cannabis crop that had been abandoned using a treasure map created by the grower as a guide.
The five students would meet at 4:20 pm and they called themselves the Waldos and claimed that their preferred hangout spot "was a wall outside the school. The expression "4:20 Louis" was used by Waldos to describe this approach.
The gang finally simplified their term to "4:20" after repeated unsuccessful attempts to locate the crop, which eventually became a code word the teenagers used to refer to the crop.
Celebrities advocating
However, there are marijuana strains, sweets, and even bath soaks bearing the names of celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Miley Cyrus.
Many of the most well-known marijuana users in the world have embraced the legalised marijuana market in recent years by developing their line of marijuana goods.
Snoop Dogg has Leafs By Snoop, Willie Nelson has Willie's Reserve, and more renowned people are joining in every day. Ever since his debut in the recording studio, the renowned West Coast rapper, Snoop Dog has been advocating for marijuana.
Snoop, more than any other celebrity, may have contributed to the acceptance of marijuana in popular culture.
In 2016, Wiz Khalifa, who is notorious for smoking joints on the red carpet, developed his hybrid weed strain called Khalifa Kush.
On the other hand, Miley Cyrus, a famous pop singer, had made no secret of her marijuana use, which perhaps stunned some of her admirers who thought of her as a model Disney princess.
Nonetheless, Hannah Montana is also a part of the green surge. A member of Cyrus's group revealed that Miley's preferred strain was Super Lemon Haze, a Sativa-dominant hybrid known for igniting energy and joy, during a 2013 vacation to Amsterdam.
Adoption of 4:20
That aside, the significance of 420 has expanded into a worldwide event. The celebrations, which are always held on April 20, take many different forms, but the love for marijuana and respect for the neighbourhood are constants.
Contemporary celebrations on the unofficial high holy day of marijuana range from traditional, extensive smoke sessions to massive productions with headliners like Reggae luminaries and top-charting rappers. With more and more states legalising marijuana, more 420 activities are happening more than ever as the day approaches.
Additionally, there are 420 events taking place across the country. Some of the festivals include NY Cannabis Freedom Festival, 420 Hippie Hill, Mile High 420, National Cannabis Festival, which is celebrated in Washington, DC on April 22, and Sweetwater 420 Fest In Atlanta, which will be celebrated on April 22-23.
However, state regulations are being modified in an increasing number of places to make room for medical and even recreational use. As Rwanda draws closer to commercial production and export of the multibillion-dollar cash crop, a new law has been approved that permits the use of cannabis, often known as marijuana, for medical purposes.
In Rwanda, the recreational use of cannabis products is still prohibited. The nation nevertheless imposes severe penalties for the unlawful growth, sale, and use of cannabis.
Cannabis is more widely used than ever, especially among celebrities. Presidential aspirant George Wajackoyah made a political phenomenon by campaigning for Kenya's presidency on a pledge to make the East African country a major exporter of marijuana.
The late Kibra MP Ken Okoth filed a notice in the National Assembly introducing the Marijuana Control Bill 2018 to decriminalise the use of marijuana.
Okoth's motion proposed the establishment of a Marijuana Control Council that would register and license growers, producers, manufacturers, and users as well as spearhead research on marijuana.
In his letter to the National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi on September 21, 2018, Okoth reasoned the government could regulate the growing and safe use of marijuana.
Its legalisation, he said, would allow for the release of all convicts of marijuana use and distribution and guard against illicit use by children.
"The proposed Bill sought to ensure there is regulation for growth and safe use of marijuana and hemp including the registration of growers, producers, manufacturers and users with special focus on the protection of children from illicit use just as we do with tobacco and alcohol," read the late MP's letter.
The legislator had also wanted research and policy development on the growth and use of marijuana and hemp for medical, industrial, textile, and recreational purposes "with a focus on the preservation of intellectual property rights for Kenyan research and natural heritage, knowledge, and our indigenous plant assets."
