On the Legalization of Cannabis

It is another Friday.

About a year ago I attended a public debate at Chancellor College. This debate was organized by KEMET Forum (or something like that) and the topic was on the prospects of the legalization of cannabis as a cash crop in Malawi. I was interested in attending the conference that I had to move from Blantyre where I was doing my part time job to Zomba for this debate because I wanted to understand what was driving those who were for the legalization of hemp.

Coming from a medical background, I had read some articles about the medicinal use of hemp in the control of some neuropsychiatric diseases. Literature has it that other variants of cannabis can be used to control of Parkinsonism and a certain pediatric disease called Dravet’s syndrome. With my professional curiosity, I just had to hear the non-medical side of the argument.

Little about the debate…

There was a member of parliament (not so surprisingly from Nkhotakota), foreign investors and a professor of economics. That was pretty much more than I had hoped for and that looked like a full house to me. First to speak were some Chanco students who made a presentation on the difference between “weed” or the cannabis that people smoke and industrial hemp. Pretty interesting presentation they made. They were followed by the MP who talked about the legal status of cannabis products in the country. Then came the professor of economics who talked about the possible economic benefits of legalizing the cultivation of cannabis in Malawi. The interesting difference between this professor and the rest of the speakers was that he was indiscriminate in his advocacy. His message was clear that Malawi needs to legalize both “weed” and industrial hemp.

I can’t remember when exactly, but somewhere in between all that the foreign investor came in and displayed a wide range of products made from cannabis; building materials, lotions, hair care products, clothes and even chocolate (was too unfortunate as I didn’t manage to get a piece).

Following those events, we had a debate as to whether we wanted the growing of industrial hemp to be legal in Malawi. There were obviously some potheads clad in Rastafarian colors (I bet they are not rastas) who rushed to agree with the professor that we need to legalize the growing of all manner of cannabis in Malawi. There were some who supported the idea of growing industrial hemp in the country while some thought that this whole idea was not a good one for the country for various reasons.

I made my contribution too, and I personally had reservations with the legalization. In my view, legalizing of the cultivation of industrial hemp would have led to rampant and uncontrolled growth of weed in the country due to the lack of control and enforcement of regulations in the country. Some people had to follow me to convince me that my fears were unfounded after the whole debate. Anyway. I had a debate of a lifetime.

Fast forward to June 2016, the issue was debated in parliament and I am told that all members voted in favor of the legalization of industrial hemp. You could wonder as to what my reaction is considering my previous reservations. Well. I would say that it was a good move on the MPs part. They have made up for the stupidity of not commenting on the budget (and yes, it was stupidity).

On the other hand, I still have the same concerns on control of the growth and distribution of hemp. The last thing we would want is the uncontrolled growth of the crop which may result in the rampant growing of weed. Small issue, anyway.

I would guess that people pushed this motion to parliament for the economic benefit of growing industrial hemp. Having seen the “agro-based” economy in Malawi, I have noted that we have a number of problems with our cash crops especially tobacco (these problems do exist even with other food crops). We grow, then export (at a low price decided by the buyer because of poor quality or our ignorance) then buy back the finished product at a higher price. We have been singing the song of value adding without any practical application.

It is my sincere hope that we will not fall into the same trap with this industrial hemp thing. I hope that the Gaf’ment will put in the necessary regulations and provide adequate enforcement to make sure that we are growing this crop for maximum economic benefit to the whole nation.

Sizoti wina azidzala kuseli kwa nyumba mu ti ma tube izi.

The "How Part" of Problem Solving

This Friday on problem solving 101.

I believe that however ideal the world we live in may be, there are always some little challenges that need to be solved. For Malawians, I have now come to understand that we do have this problem of poverty, both at national and individual level and that many who care are in desperation trying to solve the problem.

The whole idea of solving is not bad. Actually it is very good and it stretches people to their limits of physical and mental capabilities. What I have discovered, however, is the fact that people do respond differently to problems and not many of us know how to respond correctly.

I have heard some motivational speakers and entrepreneurship coaches talking about problems as an opportunity for the solver. They say we need to see other people's problems as an opportunity to cash out but most importantly to make a positive difference. Sounds pretty reasonable, but the only problem is that this becomes impractical when you look at the Malawian setting where everybody (including those that sing 'nilibe pulobulemu') is busy sorting out their own issues (or greed) to look at the next person's.

Elsewhere, this whole notion of looking at problems as an opportunity actually works but with our egocentric view of life, that is not going to work here. Our desperation combined with low literacy levels and everything else around it makes it difficult for us to soberly approach problems. In other words, we do get overwhelmed by the challenges against us and begin to make questionable decisions.

The issue of poverty, for example. For some reason someone heard that it can be somehow solved by a ritual involving an albino fingernail or something like that. Now the only thing that a person finds when they look up Malawi online is the story of the killings of people with albinism. Solving a problem but with an implausible idea.

And now comes the government. The leaders have seen that there is an issue in the country. Suggested solutions? Send people to Tanzania and Rwanda. Mwaiona imeneyo? Wonders will never end.

Now, like me, someone is not satisfied about it and he decides to act. Suggested solutions? Naked parade. Izonso nzabhobho.

Why am I pointing out all this? I personally don't see how sending a delegation of people in suits to Tanzania or people marching with their privates in this cold weather will help in stopping the killings. I mean, you guys are smarter than that, aren't you? Come on!

Anyway. Really got too "issue specific" with this, but I have one point to communicate and this is it. Life will never be challenge free but we need to be rational with the way we approach issues. It the end of the day it is not just about the problems we solve but how we solve them. In other words, solving a problem shouldn't create another. I mean, why should someone die because you want an imaginary million from a human part? Would that even qualify to be called success?

Signing out...

You are a Malawian and you don't live in an utopian ball without challenges. These things are with us to stay and and so long as they are here we need to move from these dangerous ways of approaching our problems. We need to be rational, using plausible means that do not infringe other people's rights in our problem solving, otherwise we will be reduced to uncivilized animals with neither souls or planning abilities. Maybe then, we will begin to progress, otherwise the way we are, we will continue to try destroy our world in the name of making it better.

Apikene?

Killing of People with Albinism versus the Death Penalty

with Alexious Kamangila.

Life of mammals is dependent on availability of Oxygen as such in the absence of oxygen there can not be life. On the other hand, fire requires oxygen for it to burn yet fire destroys life. So in a scenario where life and fire are in the same room, there is need to bring life in the room but ensuring that such oxygen does not spill to be accessed by the fire lest it burns the life the oxygen is meant to sustain. The fight against people responsible for atrocious acts of Killing the people with albinism present a similar scenario. It is very essential that in the efforts to deal with the perpetrators who are not only a threat to life but also destroyers of life, should neither destroy or threaten to destroy life. 

Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that reduces the amount of melanin pigment formed in the skin, hair and/or eyes. By their nature, lacking the necessary care and resources to protect their skin from Ultraviolet rays, survival rate is poor. Again as their skin is exposed to the sun, they easily develop cancer apart from the fact that their skin is easily damaged within protective oil, glasses, hats and other necessary basic needs. As albinism is a result of genetic codification, a child with albinism can be born from parents with albinism or parents who neither of them is but are carriers of genes for albinism. This means some of us, have genes of albinism perhaps we just happen to meet a partner without similar gene(s) or these genes don’t mingle to the extent of producing a human being with albinism. Perhaps this destroys any myth of the Tissues of people with albinism of having the ability to make one rich or whatever it is that the myth says. Again, as children we grew up being told that an albino never dies as there are no albino funerals. The myth had it that albinos rapture. Growing up we have witnessed funerals of albinos such as of the celebrated Ndatherapano Star “Geoffrey Zigoma”(RIP). Further upon understanding the challenges my brothers and sisters with albinism face, it became eminent that the unpopularity of their funerals is rather an issue of population statistical rather than Rapture as told.
So far Malawi has reported 18 atrocious killings of people living with albinism and it seems the more shocked the nation is becoming, the more the number of victims is increasing. And the question that keeps coming is “But Why? Even if the myth was/is right, does anyone really have the right or even just a justification to take another person’s life for success?

The greatest worry is that Malawi is not only reactive instead of being proactive, rather it either takes Action before Analysing the situation, or Analyses before making an Assessment. This is why some Activists are calling for Death Penalty as an instrument to protect the Life of the people with albinism. Yes calling for sentencing of people to death to protect life. Our challenge as a Nation has been and is failure to Assess, Analyse then take Action. The three A’s absence or inconsistences in matters remain our suicide. Simply explained, In Assessment one establishes the problem and its root. In analysis a goal is set and means necessary to get the desired outcome is constructed. Finally, Action entails taking steps towards the accomplishment of the desired result; that’s solving the problem. In Malawi we rush to jump a stage of problem solving (e.g. Marriage Act), or do all two A’s but without taking Action.
The recent increase in these killings, exhumations and abductions are not coming without a background to the threat of right to life. The year 2016 witnessed killings of elderlies on witchcraft suspicions. Again, Malawi registered a high rate of Mob Justice Incidences where lives were lost. That’s an evidence of a society that has lost its conscious for the respect of life. Others might say in Mob Justice people aim to eradicate Crime, but aren’t perpetrators of Albino killings trying to eradicate poverty? Crime and Poverty are all evil of the same magnitude if not the later also being the fuel for the former. 
Malawi is in Crisis, amidst the looming hunger and a tumbling economy, the killing of people with albinism is a violation of the most fundamental right, the right to life. The solution to end these do not lie in Court, neither in parliament or Capital hills, it is with us, within us with our common conscious. As far as the Police need to wake up from their slumber so too the Executive arm of government in the same way as the Opposition Parties are, the societal structures are pivotal. For once let’s mobilize chiefs, religious leaders, political parties and all men and women in every clan, village and district to stand against killings, exhumations and adductions of people leaving with albinism as an immediate response. Secondly, Law enforcers should dig deeper to apprehend not only the suppliers of the body parts, but most importantly the potential buyers who are to the greater extent the heart of this unspeakable crimes. As long as the Demand is left untampered, the supply will ensure it meets the demand. And sadly, the greater the protection and attention offered to people with albinism, the higher the commodity (am at pains to use such word but thats how our fellow human beings are being treated as). Kupha njoka ndikumutu, destroy the market. Finally, in the long term change of mentality is pivotal.

Fire needs oxygen to burn therefore as you provide oxygen for life to excel, beware. Death Penalty is far from being a solution, under a moratorium on executions Capital punishment will not make a difference after all Death Penalty never deters murders. Apart from the fact that no research has proven its deterrence ability, when murders plan to kill, they don’t plan to be caught. No Human Right is protected through violation of another right for they are indivisible and so Life can not be protected by putting on the line another life.

BY ALEXIOUS KAMANGILA
Legal Practitioner for Naphambo & Company, Activist, National Coordinator for YADEMA and volunteers in Community of Sant’ Egidio