CANNABIS SATIVA L.: A REVIEW OF THE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF THIS ‘WONDER PLANT’ AND AN UPDATE ON THE NIGERIA SITUATION

Cannabis sativa L. is an annual herbal plant of the family Cannabinaceae and abundant in nature. It is known locally as igbo, taba, blaze, joint, pot, dope, ganja, sensi, kpoli, weed, and morocco on the streets of Nigeria, and used as a medicinal plant for many centuries in many different parts of the world. Although native to Central Asia, Cannabis is now grown globally. Cannabis is the most abused plant worldwide, used for medical and recreational purposes. Recent studies have shown its efficacy in several disease conditions, including pain, sleeplessness, depression, and intractable epilepsy. The use, handling and cultivation of Cannabis sativa in Nigeria is illegal and backed by several laws. Despite the availability of these regulations and legislation, Nigeria is currently dealing with a drug abuse issue. After alcohol, cannabis is the most often used illicit/illegal substance in Nigeria, with a 10.8% estimated prevalence use rate. Cannabis use in Nigeria has no class distinction as it is used by both the rich and the poor, with Nigeria currently the eighth-highest consumer globally and ranks second in the quantity of dried cannabis seized annually. This review examines the history of the plant, its phytochemical components, its therapeutic use, and the controversy over the plant’s legalisation or decriminalisation in Nigeria (the Nigeria situation).