Cultivation of marijuana is illegal in India, except in the state of Uttarakhand. Now, Himachal Pardesh is mulling to legalise the cultivation of the banned plant and if it comes into effect, Himachal will become the second state to legalise it.
It is to be known that the Indian government under international pressure in 1985 banned the cultivation and consumption of Marijuana. But, citing the economic aspect, Uttarakhand government legalised the cultivation of marijuana in 2018.
According to a report in The Tribune, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur opined that there is a spur of demand in the hemp cultivation which could attribute to the legalising by the Uttarakhand government.
Now with Himachali areas in the Kullu district — including Sainj and Malana — becoming worldwide famous for its high grade and high-potency cannabis strains, the state government leaders feel that legalising the cultivation can help boost the economy of local cultivators.
Contrastingly, the move has been supported by both the Congress and BJP leaders in the state. With abilities to cure nausea and muscle spasms, the country is slowly waking up to its pharmaceutic abilities of marijuana.
However, the state government made it very clear that after legalising it will keep a strict check on its use and restrict the tourists and the locals to misuse it.
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