Cannabis (Marijuana)

Cannabis (also called marijuana, weed, or "igbo" in Nigerian slang) is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant and contains the psychoactive compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It is the most widely abused illicit substance in Nigeria and accounts for the majority of NDLEA seizures nationwide. In Southeast Nigeria — particularly Imo, Anambra, and Enugu states — cannabis is deeply woven into social settings among male youth, frequently shared at gatherings, "studies" sessions, and street corners. Its normalisation in popular music and peer culture makes it especially dangerous: young people often underestimate its capacity for addiction and long-term harm.

The adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to cannabis. The brain continues developing until age 25, and THC directly disrupts the endocannabinoid system — a network of receptors responsible for memory formation, motivation, learning, and emotional regulation. Studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that persistent cannabis use beginning before age 18 was associated with an average IQ decline of 8 points by age 38 — a drop that was not recovered even after stopping use in adulthood. For a student preparing for WAEC, JAMB, or university examinations, this is a devastating consequence.

Progression from casual to dependent use is faster than most users expect. Approximately 9% of all cannabis users develop Cannabis Use Disorder — a figure that rises to 17% for those who begin in adolescence, and as high as 50% for daily users. Dependency manifests as an inability to concentrate, study, or relax without using the substance. Withdrawal symptoms — insomnia, irritability, appetite loss, and anxiety — make quitting without support extremely difficult. Many users trapped in this cycle move to stronger substances to escape the discomfort of cannabis withdrawal.

Cannabis also functions as a gateway drug in the Nigerian context. NDLEA data consistently show that the majority of hard drug users in Nigeria began with cannabis. The networks used to purchase cannabis routinely expose users to dealers who also supply tramadol, codeine, and in some regions, crystal methamphetamine. The social normalisation of cannabis use desensitises users to drug-taking behaviour broadly, lowering psychological barriers to experimenting with more dangerous substances.