Plan to legalise cannabis cultivation, says Thakur

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 12

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today said the government would consider legalising the cultivation of cannabis but only after examining the legal position.

This was stated by Thakur here in an informal interaction with mediapersons.

“Considering the growing demand for legalising the cannabis cultivation, we are willing to consider it but a decision will be taken only after looking at the existing laws and its implications,” he said.

The demand is gaining ground ever since Uttarakhand took a step in this direction. In fact, both BJP and Congress leaders have expressed support for doing so.

Former BJP state president and former Kullu MLA Maheshwar Singh had written to the CM, seeking legal sanction for the cannabis cultivation.

Expressing similar opinion, sitting Congress legislator from Kullu Sunder Thakur has said by doing so, the government can fight the drug mafia.

With most parts of Kullu, especially Sainj and Malana, gaining notoriety for producing the world-class hash called “Malana creme” the local politicians feel that legalising the illegal cultivation will help uplift rural economy.

They feel that the cultivation can be undertaken with strict restrictions.

They contend that parts of cannabis are used in the pharma industry.