Drug policy stasis and hegemonic narratives of cannabis in Nigeria

A growing body of research has focused on the critical analysis of drug policy narratives. Lacking in this literature is research from Africa, especially analysis of narratives around cannabis policy, which is changing across the continent as in the rest of the world. We analysed contrasting accounts of cannabis policy, seeking to highlight the diversity of narratives and the role of hegemonic narratives that reinforce policy stasis through containment of existing alternatives.

We drew upon qualitative interviews with cannabis market insiders (e.g. farmers, transporters, traders), drug advocacy NGOs and policy officials in South-West and South-South Nigeria, focusing on how these actors constructed cannabis as a policy problem. Analysis was thematic and aimed to identify the core narratives in the data and to explore their meanings and functions in policy debates.

We found contrasting representations of cannabis - e.g. 'cannabis as dangerous drug', common in policy officials' narratives, and 'cannabis as cash crop', often found in market insiders' narratives. The latter actors, driven by the realities of poverty and deprivation, emphasised socioeconomic and medical benefits of cannabis and supported equity-based policy reforms to secure cannabis-based livelihoods. Conversely, the former emphasised the negative social and health consequences of cannabis consumption. Their more hegemonic narratives, reflecting ideological and institutional concerns, accommodated piecemeal policy adjustments based on a framing of 'global best practices', thus containing reform impetus and reinforcing resistance to substantive policy change.

The article highlights how hegemonic cannabis policy narratives, especially espoused by policy officials, contribute to maintaining cannabis policy stasis.