Panel constituted to explore legalisation of cannabis farming

Himachal Pradesh’s government decided on Thursday to form a panel to explore the possibility of legalising cannabis cultivation. Following the debate in the assembly, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced the formation of a five-member all-party panel of legislators. CM Sukhu stated that the state will investigate it and that future possibilities will be investigated.
“The issue of cannabis cultivation was brought to the assembly, and we have decided to constitute a committee, which will submit its report to the government in one month. We shall explore the legal options for medicinal and industrial purposes; we shall see and take any decision after the report of the committee,” said the Chief Minister.
The leader of the opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, said that this needed to work out and decisions should not be taken hurriedly.
Puran Chand Thakur, a BJP MLA, introduced a resolution on the use of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes in the assembly today under Rule 63. Jagat Singh Negi, Minister of Revenue and Horticulture, will chair the five-member committee.
Negi said, “There is a misconception that cannabis can only be used as a drug, but now there are techniques to grow it on a large scale that can reduce the narcotic value of the material and use its medicinal value to cure diseases like cancer, etc. There are numerous ways to make it legal, and opium cultivation is also allowed by the government of India in many states. We shall explore all possibilities that will help to strengthen the economy of the state”.
Dr. Janak Raj BJP MLA, the medical expert member of the newly formed committee, said that the medical use of cannibals will not only help to curb the drug menace but also provide employment to the youth by strengthening the economy of the state. He said this would make Himachal Pradesh a leading state in the country for the usage of cannabis for medical purposes.
The experts are also of the opinion to take opium under consideration for its best and legal use for medical purposes.