NACOC warns of cannabis-infused egg and pepper and ice cream being sold on university campuses

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has expressed growing concern over what it describes as an emerging trend in drug consumption among tertiary students, warning that cannabis is increasingly being infused into everyday food products and sold on university campuses across the country.

According to the Commission, the development signals a troubling shift in the methods used to distribute and consume narcotic substances, making detection more difficult and exposing unsuspecting students to potentially harmful products.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, June 25, Deputy Director-General of NACOC, Lawyer Alexander Twum-Barima, revealed that cannabis-infused food items, including the popular local snack known as egg and pepper, are increasingly being sold within tertiary institutions.

Mr. Twum-Barima disclosed that intelligence gathered by the Commission points to a growing practice in which cannabis derivatives are mixed into commonly consumed foods and beverages.

“This egg and pepper, the normal egg and pepper that they sell by the roadside, has cannabis infused in it,” he stated.

He expressed concern that some students are actively engaging in the sale of such products during academic activities, transforming ordinary campus vending into a channel for distributing narcotic substances.

“It is very difficult to understand why someone who is in the university will decide to set up a stand during school activity time, and what he or she is doing is not giving out books, or flyers, educational material to colleagues. Rather, he or she decides to sell a cannabis-infused product,” he said.

Mr. Twum-Barima also cited reports of cannabis-infused ice cream being sold on campuses, noting that students may unknowingly consume substances capable of impairing judgment, concentration, and overall well-being.

“So you go to that stand to buy ice cream, and that ice cream you are buying is cannabis infused,” he added.

The NACOC official explained that traffickers and distributors are increasingly moving away from traditional methods of drug consumption and concealment.

Instead, cannabis and its derivatives are being incorporated into ordinary food products, snacks, beverages, and confectioneries that are less likely to attract suspicion.

According to him, the trend represents a significant challenge for regulators and law enforcement agencies because the products often appear identical to conventional food items.

The growing sophistication of these methods, he warned, could make enforcement efforts more complex and increase the risk of accidental consumption.

NACOC believes the rise in cannabis-infused food products poses serious public health risks, particularly within educational environments where young people are vulnerable to experimentation and peer influence.

The Commission warned that students may consume such products without fully understanding their contents, potency, or potential effects on mental and physical health.

Officials are particularly concerned about the impact on academic performance, student safety, and overall campus discipline.

Drug experts have repeatedly cautioned that the consumption of unregulated cannabis-infused products can result in impaired cognitive function, reduced concentration, altered behaviour, and other health complications depending on the dosage and composition.

In response to the emerging threat, NACOC says it is strengthening surveillance activities across educational institutions and enhancing collaboration with university authorities, student leaders, and law enforcement agencies.

The Commission is also expanding public education and sensitisation programmes aimed at informing students about the dangers associated with illicit drug use and cannabis-infused products.

Mr. Twum-Barima noted that awareness remains a critical component of the Commission's strategy, as many young people may not fully appreciate the risks associated with consuming substances disguised as ordinary food items.

The Commission has urged students, parents, school authorities, and the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving the sale or distribution of narcotic substances.

The warning comes amid increasing concerns about evolving drug trends among young people and follows recent NACOC operations targeting the production and sale of cannabis-infused products in educational institutions.

Authorities say the changing nature of narcotics distribution requires a coordinated response involving educational institutions, health professionals, law enforcement agencies, and community stakeholders.

As drug traffickers adopt more sophisticated methods of concealment, NACOC says it remains committed to protecting young people and preventing the spread of illicit substances within Ghana's schools and universities.

The Commission reiterated its resolve to intensify enforcement actions, strengthen preventive education, and safeguard students from the growing threat posed by cannabis-infused food products and other emerging forms of drug abuse.