“It makes me work strong”: Cannabis and cannabis use persistency in a Nigerian city

Abstract

Cannabis use has been researched comprehensively, especially in the western societies. In Africa, there is also a corpus of literature on cannabis use. In Nigeria, particularly in Awka, southeast Nigeria, there is a dearth of qualitative empirical research on cannabis use among different classes of people. This study sets out to understand cannabis use motive in Awka and why cannabis users persist in using cannabis. In-depth interview (IDI) was conducted among 18 participants selected through snow balling. The interviews were conducted between November 2018 and June 2019. Data collected were transcribed and analyzed and two major themes of coping and enhancement were generated. Data showed non-medical use of the drug by the participants. Findings suggest among others that cannabis use has continued because it helps users to cope with life challenges. Also, cannabis is seen as a boost to strength among users, especially those who do jobs that demand sustained physical energy, among others, and enhancement functions users derive from it. Consequently, there is the need for practical policy to tame recreational cannabis use in this Nigerian City.