Himachal Pradesh’s green cover could soon see a rise, this time with whiffs of hemp wafting through the mountains. This is because the state government is currently mulling over legalising cannabis cultivation. Here’s what is planned. By Bayar Jain
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According to a report by The Indian Express, the state’s Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, in his annual budget speech, mulled over a policy to allow for controlled cannabis cultivation in the state. However, Thakur reportedly added that the same will be restricted to medicinal cultivation, while its consumption and sale will continue to be prohibited.
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This decision is reportedly taken to combat pandemic-induced unemployment in the state, as well as boost income. As per a report by Hindustan Times, the pandemic slowed down mining, manufacturing, transportation, and tourism. The latter, the report notes, accounts for seven per cent of the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). With the controlled cultivation of cannabis, the state reportedly aims to combat this economic hardship. In the same report, Pradeep Chauhan, a retired economic advisor to the state government, claims that this move could help earn INR 18,000 crore, providing employment to 50,000 youth, and directly benefiting 2.8 lakh families in the low-income group.
Interestingly, Himachal Pradesh isn’t the first to foray into this ‘green’ initiative, despite it being home to the famous Malana Cream, a form of charas (a hashish variation of cannabis). Earlier in 2018, Uttarakhand became the first state in the nation to allow for medicinal cannabis cultivation, albeit only for those plants that have low psychoactive components. Uttar Pradesh, too, has followed a similar policy. Reports suggest that Madhya Pradesh and Manipur are considering the same as well.
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