Cannabis as a cure
Should the plant be legalised in Namibia?
Grass, weed, dagga... there are many names for the plant that has caused much debate around the globe.
L egalising cannabis is unthinkable to some, however acupuncture and cannabionide practitioner Angela Prusa advocates for legalising the use thereof.Having founded the Cannabis and Hemp Association of Namibia, Prusa was introduced to cannabis while travelling in Morocco. There the plant is grown and used in everyday life. In the years thereafter, she learned much about the use thereof, even working in the cannabis industry in California in 2007.
Since 2016 she has been campaigning for legalisation in Namibia to support people with health problems.
So why is cannabis illegal here?
According to Prusa, the origin can be found in colonial history. To cut a long story short, British immigrants didn’t like the effects of the substance, so they implemented a ban. During the League of Nations negotiations on opium, the South African government also raised the issue of cannabis. The result: a global ban that has not been further investigated to this day.
There are various arguments as to why cannabis is not as dangerous as it is made out to be. Prusa concurs with a study by Dr David Nutt that cannabis is not as harmful as tobacco or alcohol - drugs that are legal.
She emphasises: “I’m not saying that cannabis can’t be harmful. I’m just saying it’s less harmful than alcohol or tobacco. If you look at statistics on causes of death or health problems, cannabis is less harmful than sugar, for example.”
However, everything has its risks, including cannabis. “It’s not for everyone, but those who choose to use it should be able to consume it without landing up in jail. It should be regulated according to its risks and benefits.”
According to the UNODC, cannabis is used by 3.9% of the population in Namibia, but Prusa suspects from her personal experience that there are many more.Cannabis as a remedy
Prusa uses the substance for her clients. “I have a consultation with each client and work out which cannabis product best suits them. Then I create an individual tincture, depending on the person’s ailments. It can be ingestible oils, puffing products or a balm. I also look at the person’s trauma and how it has manifested in their life. A disease is often a symptom of a much larger problem.”
She uses cannabis to treat many ailments – from drug addiction to mental issues and physical ailments. Animals like dogs, cats and horses can also receive treatment from her.
Prusa has also built her own cannabis brand, Roots Herbal, through which she and her business partner Talin, have already treated around 2000 clients.
Her thought is that cannabis can support people on their path to healing better than medication, which is sometimes prescribed for even the smallest ailment.
Prusa explains that every human and animal (except insects) has an endocannabinoid system in their body; a system that regulates all functions and keeps us and our homeostasis in balance. “Our bodies naturally produce these endocannabinoids. By consuming cannabis in a controlled manner, this system is balanced.”
Prusa accuses doctors of deliberately acting negligently through their ignorance. “I treat so many people who are told by doctors they only have a few weeks or months to live or who are misdiagnosed. They are prescribed drugs that cause side effects. Cannabis is a safe and natural alternative that can improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms.”Body of evidence
Prusa emphasises the importance of considering the evidence and truth about the plant and stopping the repetitive fear of false stigma. “People, government, those working in the health industry and especially the police, must be educated on the subject, take into account the studies and investigations and not spread lies and false statements about the drug.”
She also has a solution for legalising the substance: “It should be legalised for everyone, with no expensive licences that could cause corruption. All criminal cases related to cannabis should be nullified. A municipal agency and central cannabis hub can be created so that marginalised communities that may not have enough money, can benefit from the cannabis industry. It must be regulated that no foreign companies take over the market and that Namibians have first priority. In addition, there must be regulations on planting the plant in order to guarantee sustainable production, which can also be beneficial for nature.”