WEAK MARIJUANA LAWS WORRY LOCAL LEADERS

MASAKA district council leaders have criticised the laws on marijuana
smoking, saying they are too weak to stop the habit, writes Dismus Buregyeya.

The district officials, led by Buwunga sub-county chairperson Joseph
Batte, said most of the marijuana smokers are arrested and released.

"Parliament should revise the laws, otherwise our efforts to fight
the vice are being frustrated," they said.

Batte said: "Marijuana addicts do not reform. They spend a short time
in prison and when they come out they terrorise us," he said.

The district officials raised the concern on Monday at a meeting at
Kabonera sub-county conference hall in Masaka district.

The district Woman MP, Hajat Sauda Namaggwa, called on the public to
support the Police to fight the vice. She added that many crimes ware
committed under the influence of marijuana and alcohol.