The United Progressive Party (UPP) will legalise marijuana in Ghana and use proceeds from its cultivation to boost economic development.

“The profit we will make from this venture will go a long way in transforming the economy and alleviate poverty among the populace.”

The chairperson of the party, Mr Kenneth Nana Kwame Asamoah made these assertions in an interview on Kasoa based Pink FM on Friday in Accra.

He said sales from marijuana would result in buoyant tax revenues which could run into billions of dollars when properly managed.

“We will among others set up marijuana nurseries across the country to create more jobs for the teaming unemployed youth and also promote tremendous benefit to the Ghanaian economy,” he said.

According to Mr Asamoah, if Marijuana, popularly known as ‘wee’ remained illegal, getting its full benefits would be difficult.

He was of the strong conviction that the “drug” would generate more revenue than cocoa because it take s only months for it to mature for harvest.

Medical consumers of cannabis-based products, he said, would also benefit from the legalisation because it would boost their businesses.

The politician was however quick to add the legalisation of marijuana will come with strict rules so that people will not abuse its usage.

“UPP is very passionate about the welfare of this country that is why we are looking at ways we can transform this economy and improving the standard of living of the public. At the same time we want to make sure certain decisions we make do not negatively impact the people so legalising marijuana will at the same time come with rules. Smoking in public will still remain a crime,” he added.

Security agencies, he said would be well equipped to ensure the public complied strictly to the laws guiding the usage of marijuana in the country when it is finally legalised.

Throwing light on the enormous health benefits if marijuana, Mr Asamoah indicated that cannabis oil had been reported to have cured or improved medical conditions such as depression, cancer, chronic pain and diabetes among others.

He reiterated that legalisation of marijuana would transform the economy to an unimaginable level.