Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Legal status of Cannabis
Why in the News?
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved a pilot study for the controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes.
Legal Status of Cannabis Cultivation in India:
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Why Himachal Pradesh Could Soon Allow Controlled Cannabis Cultivation?
- The Himalayan region’s soil and climate are ideal for cultivating low-THC hemp varieties, making Himachal Pradesh a prime location for controlled cannabis farming.
- The government sees controlled cultivation as a way to generate revenue, create employment opportunities, and support local farmers, particularly in Kullu, Chamba, Mandi, Solan, Kangra, and Sirmaur.
- Cannabis cultivation will be restricted to industrial and pharmaceutical uses, such as:
- Pain relief medications
- Textile and paper production
- Biofuel and cosmetics
- Hemp-based food products
- The Kullu and Malana regions are known for illegal narcotic cannabis cultivation. Regulating the sector could reduce illegal activities and ensure legal trade.
- The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 allows state governments to permit and regulate cannabis cultivation for scientific, medicinal, and industrial purposes under strict conditions.
Which are the other States to allow Controlled Cannabis Cultivation in India?
- Uttarakhand (2018):
- First state to legalize industrial hemp cultivation.
- Managed by the Centre for Aromatic Plants (CAP), Selaqui.
- Challenges include maintaining THC levels below 0.3% and seed availability.
- Madhya Pradesh (2023):
- Approved medicinal cannabis research but commercial cultivation is yet to start.
- Sai Phytoceuticals (Pvt. Ltd.) received the first license for cannabis-based medicine production.
- Jammu & Kashmir (2021):
- India’s first medicinal cannabis pilot project launched by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu.
- Conducted in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode with a Canadian firm.
- Research focuses on cannabis-based cancer and epilepsy treatments.
PYQ:[2018] India’s proximity to the two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same? |
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