Cabinet Minister Negi Presents Report in State Assembly on Legalizing Cannabis Cultivation

Shimla, September 22, 2023: The Himachal Pradesh government is considering legalizing cannabis cultivation in the state. Cabinet Minister Jagat Negi presented a report on this matter in the State Assembly. Following the example of other states, Himachal Pradesh is likely to legalize cannabis cultivation soon. The issue of legalizing cannabis cultivation was raised in the previous budget session, after which the government formed a five-member committee under the chairmanship of Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi. This committee studied cannabis cultivation in other states. The committee’s report was presented in the Assembly on Friday.

The committee toured all districts of the state and collected suggestions from representatives at the Panchayat level. During the visits, information was gathered about the intricacies of using cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes from neighboring states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. Jagat Singh Negi mentioned that in other states, including Uttarakhand, cannabis cultivation is legal for both medicinal and industrial purposes. The NDPS Act also grants states the authority to legalize cannabis cultivation.

On the other hand, opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur raised questions about legalizing cannabis cultivation in Himachal Pradesh. He pointed out the contradiction between the police uprooting cannabis cultivation and the government’s plan to legalize it. He questioned how this could be reconciled and emphasized the need to consider public sentiment, apart from the results in other states.

Cannabis cultivation has the potential to strengthen Himachal Pradesh’s economy with an estimated revenue of 18,000 crore rupees. Approximately 2,400 acres in the state are estimated to be under organized illicit cannabis cultivation. Cannabis is grown for recreational use in some areas of the state, including Mandi, Kullu, Sirmaur, Shimla, and Chamba. The history of cannabis cultivation is about 12,000 years old. While cannabis is traditionally used for medicinal purposes, some regions in Himachal Pradesh have a reputation for its recreational use.

The government aims to ensure that the legalization of cannabis cultivation in the state does not lead to an increase in drug abuse. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be developed for cannabis cultivation. The government will provide seeds, and cultivation will take place in controlled environments such as polyhouses. The government is committed to ensuring that cannabis is not misused for intoxication.

This discussion in the Assembly reflects the ongoing debate on the legalization of cannabis cultivation in Himachal Pradesh, with an emphasis on its potential benefits for the state’s economy and the need to prevent drug abuse.