Himachal Pradesh Considers Legalising Cannabis Cultivation To Boost Revenue, Promote Medicinal Benefits

On Friday, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, stated that the government of the state was contemplating the legalisation of cannabis cultivation.

“It (cannabis cultivation) would play a significant role in generating revenue for the State. Besides, it would be beneficial to patients as it has many medicinal properties. It can be used for industrial purposes as well,” Mr. Sukhu said in Shimla.

The State government is wary of the potential rise in drug usage and has established a group of five MLAs to investigate cannabis cultivation. The Chief Minister revealed that the committee will study all aspects of cannabis growth within the State and will visit locations where illegal crop growing occurs.

Within a month, a report regarding the findings will be submitted. The government will only make a decision regarding cannabis cultivation depending on what the report concludes.

CM Sukhu said cannabis cultivation had been kept under the legal purview in several States. “Neighbouring Uttarakhand became the first State in the country to legalise cannabis cultivation in 2017. Controlled cultivation is being done in some districts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, controlled cultivation of cannabis has been permitted in several countries such as Uruguay, Canada, the U.S.A., Austria, Belgium and the Czech Republic,” he said.

The government will examine methods used by other states in legalising cannabis cultivation and consider regulations before deciding, according to the Chief Minister.

“The Parliament has defined cannabis in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985. Under the law, a complete ban has been imposed on extracting the resin and flowers of the cannabis plant. But this law determines the method and extent of cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes.

" Section 10 (a) (iii) of the Act empowers States to make rules regarding the cultivation of any cannabis plant, production, possession, transport, consumption, use, purchase, sale, and consumption of cannabis (except charas). States are empowered to permit, by general or special order, the cultivation of hemp, only for obtaining fibber or seeds or for horticultural purposes,” Mr. Sukhu said.