Himachal approves controlled cannabis cultivation

“We person approved controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes, pursuing the illustration of states similar Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. Only seeds with minimal intoxicating properties volition beryllium cultivated nether strict monitoring by the Excise and Taxation Department and instrumentality enforcement agencies. Initially, seeds volition beryllium developed astatine cultivation universities, and caller cultivation sites volition beryllium identified. All activities volition comply with Sections 10 and 14 of the NDPS Act, 1985, and Rule 29 of the Himachal Pradesh NDPS Rules, 1989,” said Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar.

The committee, led by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, conducted studies successful states wherever cannabis cultivation is already permitted. Formed connected April 26, 2023, the committee included scientists, horticulture experts, and representatives from governmental parties, including Congress and BJP. Members included Congress MLA Sundar Thakur and BJP MLAs Hans Raj, Dr Janak Raj, and Puran Thakur.

However, OP Sharma, erstwhile Narcotics Control Bureau serviceman and ex-adviser to the Himachal Pradesh Nasha Nivaran Board, raised concerns. “The authorities indispensable enactment cautiously. Eliminating organised cause mafias should beryllium the archetypal priority. Thousands of amerciable machines for extracting cannabis lipid are progressive successful the state, and organised groups person replaced accepted cannabis seeds with highly intoxicating varieties. These issues indispensable beryllium addressed earlier implementing this project,” helium said.

Sharma besides emphasised the request for a broad grounds of areas with amerciable cannabis cultivation and vigilance regarding firms funny successful purchasing the controlled produce. Citing Uttarakhand’s experience, helium noted that the archetypal authorities to legalise cannabis cultivation is yet to spot desirable results.

The committee visited states similar Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir to survey controlled cultivation models and consulted gram panchayats successful Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Solan districts to gauge nationalist opinion.

The recommendations see amendments to Himachal Pradesh NDPS Rules to modulate cultivation, production, transport, and interstate question of cannabis. The Agriculture Department, successful collaboration with probe experts and universities, volition make effect banks and supply specialised unit to the Excise Department for licensing and enforcement.

The study highlighted Himachal Pradesh’s favourable topography and clime for cannabis cultivation. Currently, chaotic cannabis, increasing successful astir each districts, is destroyed by enforcement agencies owed to its narcotic potential. The study suggested that regulated cultivation could payment farmers and pat into the plant’s non-narcotic uses.

Additionally, the biology benefits of hemp farming were noted, including reduced c interaction and minimal usage of chemic pesticides and fertilisers. “There was overwhelming enactment for allowing cannabis cultivation successful the authorities with due checks and balances,” the study stated.

Uttarakhand remains the archetypal Indian authorities to licence large-scale concern hemp cultivation nether authorities guidelines.