Shimla, 06 September: The way has been cleared to legalize cannabis cultivation in Himachal Pradesh. Cabinet Minister Jagat Singh Negi brought a government resolution under Rule 102 in the House to legalize cannabis cultivation, which was passed unanimously. Now, on the lines of states like Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, cannabis cultivation will be legal in Himachal as well. The government has decided to adopt cannabis cultivation in medicinal and industrial form, which will also increase the means of income of the people of the state and the government is also estimated to earn about Rs 500 crore annually.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that drug-free cannabis is being cultivated in other states including the neighboring state of Uttarakhand. The NDPS Act also gives the right to legalize cannabis cultivation to the states. Cannabis cultivation can help in strengthening the economic condition of the state. But strict provisions will also have to be made to ensure that there is no tendency to promote drug addiction. Jagat Singh Negi said that the government will make an SOP and allow the cultivation of cannabis in Himachal.
In 1985, cannabis cultivation was declared a crime in India. Organized illegal cultivation of cannabis is being done in an estimated 2400 acres of land in Himachal Pradesh. Ganja has been traditionally grown in some parts of old Himachal, including Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba and Sirmaur. The history of cannabis cultivation is 12 thousand years old.
Although cannabis has been used as a medicine, some districts of Himachal are also quite infamous for cannabis as a drug. Areas like Kullu Malana are considered to be the hub of cannabis, in such a situation, ensuring drug-free cannabis cultivation will be no less than a challenge for the government.
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