Wild growth of cannabis on vacant lands a cause of concern

Ajay Joshi

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar July 20

“Captain Sahib chitta se mukti dilane ki koshish to kar rhe hain, lekin iss bhang se kab chhutkara dilayenge (Although Captain government is pressing hard to get rid of drugs but when would he attempt to do away with cannabis), said Lakshman Singh, a rickshaw puller.

Referring to a local newspaper’s report he further added that, “The city police is fetching addicts from all localities and admitting them to hospitals but why is it not curbing the menace of growing number of sukha and bhang (cannabis) plants, just opposite to police commissioner’s office. Excessive cannabis and congress grass is not only used as a source of intoxicant but also poses threat to agriculture and health of residents. Addicts are often seen tearing away or plucking weed to use it as an intoxicant. Government had issued a notification last year before the onset of monsoon, but local administration body seems to be least bothered to remove these toxic and unwanted plants.

On Tuesday, while getting himself treated at the district de-addiction centre, one of the addicts confirmed that he used weed obtained from natural cannabis plants to supplement the quantity of intoxicants he consumes. Besides, addicts also have an easy access to sukha and bhang growing along road sides and residential areas.

“Though cultivation of cannabis otherwise is illegal, weeds obtained from cannabis is easily accessible to addicts. Poor addicts who cannot afford expensive intoxicants rely on bhang prepared by rubbing cannabis plant,” said an addict at Maqsudan Sabji Mandi.

Due to rainy season, these weeds have grown densely on every vacant land. Vacant lands at the Civil Hospital premises, residential areas, railway stations, schools and other institutions are covered with these unwanted weeds.

The experts also propounded that these plants have bad effects on tissues of brain and other body parts. After consumption of sukha and bhang, the metabolic rate of human body increases, which causes ailments and disease.