Drugs Bill: We are merely fixing an error; we are not revisiting the Supreme Court’s decision, Bagbin
The Supreme Court’s ruling that the clause in the bill that seeks to amend the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) to give the Minister for the Interior the authority to grant a licence for the cultivation of cannabis for industrial use or for medicinal purposes was unconstitutional, according to Speaker of the House…
The Supreme Court’s ruling that the clause in the bill that seeks to amend the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) to give the Minister for the Interior the authority to grant a licence for the cultivation of cannabis for industrial use or for medicinal purposes was unconstitutional, according to Speaker of the House Alban Bagbin, was overturned.
He said that Parliament is only rectifying a mistake.
On Thursday, July 6, Speaker Bagbin made these remarks following the introduction and first reading of the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023, in the House of Representatives by Minister of the Interior Ambrose Dery.
Because there had not been a discussion in Parliament prior to the bill’s enactment, as required by Article 106(5) and (6) of the 1992 Constitution, the Supreme Court had invalidated the law giving permits to produce cannabis, sometimes known as “wee.”
However, the Speaker, who claimed that the country was losing out as a result of this judgement, said that he had expressed his disapproval with the decision to the judges of the supreme court in a meeting and encouraged them to contact Parliament for adequate briefings anytime they were making such decisions.
We aren’t going back and revisiting the Supreme Court’s ruling; instead, we’re trying to fix a mistake and reinstall the proper clause. I will therefore recommend the measure to the Committee on Defence and Interior so that they can review it and report back to the House.
“The report might be delivered by the Committee in a week. It’s a subject close to my heart, and I believe that the country is losing a lot as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling. In order to right the error, we must act quickly.
He went on to say that the three branches of the government should work together and respect one another. It is important to get in touch with the other arm in any case when a decision needs to be made before giving the other arm’s suggested plan of action finality.
Since they have no awareness of how we conduct business here, I don’t think it’s proper for the court to make such a crucial decision without discussing the house.
The speaker stated, “I told them about this and I want the people to know about it because it will assist the country. Please, committee, you have one week to submit your report.
