Cannabis in Semi-Bantu's Ethnobotany in West Cameroon: Understanding its resistance to the Judiciary Repression

Abstract: The objective of this research is to explain the factors contributing to the obstinacy ofmarijuana against legal repression in Cameroon throughout the case study of Semi-Bantu people,by examining the cultural practices and beliefs shaping the relationship between cannabis andthe concerned indigenous populations. The research design is explorative, using qualitativemethod of the research. Ethnography has provided Primary data through interviews and directobservation, using a containing open-ended questions Form. Because of the repression from thepolice about cannabis and ethical considerations, the researcher has avoided Focus groupsdiscussions. Secondary data were provided by written sources and Internet. Data analysisconsisted in Explanation, Comment, Comparison. Functionalism and Cultural Interpretativeapproaches have been exploited to explain facts. According to the Research findings, Cannabisresists to legal repressions because, it is a Culture Core, a cultural feature that is fundamentalamong Semi-Bantu people’s ways of making their living; including Food, Ethno medicine,Spirituality, Social Organization, and other domains of Semi-Bantu’s Ethno Science. Cannabis isembedded in Semi-Bantu’s traditions. The Government’s Law preventing people from CannabisUse, is culturally incompatible or inappropriate. The Survival of Cannabis to Law is also due toits high prize in the black market, it provides much more than other Crops. As suggestion, Localcultural practices and beliefs should be taken into account before the implementation of anyPolicy. Failure in the application of that principle has caused the resistance from the concernedpopulations in Cameroon.