Cannabis Cultivation to be Allowed or Not; Himachal Govt Forms Panel for Assessment

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh government has formed a five-member committee to study the pros and cons of legalizing cannabis (bhang) cultivation in the state. The committee will be headed by Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi.

“The committee will submit its report in a month. It will help us decide whether or not we should move ahead on the matter,” said Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Several Himachal leaders are in favour of cannabis cultivation legalization in this hilly state. “Considering its elaborate use in medicines for diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s and tumours, the government should make a policy for it,” said Kullu MLA Sunder Thakur.

Puran Chand Thakur, Darang MLA said, “There are large tracts of barren land. If cannabis is legalised, scores of youth will get a good source of livelihood.”

Churah MLA Dr Janak Raj, a former neurosurgeon at IGMC, also highlighted the medicinal uses of cannabis. According to him, an ingredient in cannabis, THC, is used in making medicines for diseases like cancer and seizures, and pain relievers for multiple sclerosis, ulcers, etc.