When you hear the words marijuana, you probably think of its recreational use. Some call it their ol’ friend ‘Mary Jane’, quite simply ‘weed’ or dream of rolling up a doobie and awaiting 420. Yet, the use and possession of marijuana in most Indian states has been a criminal offense.
People have, however, been trying hard to legalize cannabis since a long time in the country. Earlier this year, a petition to legalize cannabis was dismissed by the Delhi High Court. But marijuana has tested positive for several medicinal properties. Accordingly, the medicinal and industrial use of marijuana has been legalized in Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Manipur in the north-east will soon join the league to become the latest state to legalize cannabis, reports Indian Express. Under the Start-Up Manipur scheme, Chief Minister Biren Singh has announced that the state government has been closely looking into legalizing cannabis for medicinal purposes.
In a press conference, the CM said,
“Our revenue must be strong. Moreover, Cannabis grows in the wild abundantly in Manipur and this can be used for extraction of hemp oil which is known for its medicinal property.”
Under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985, the Manipur state government had criminalized the use and cultivation of marijuana. Nevertheless, the state’s illegally grown cannabis popular for its ‘high’ and minty taste managed to make its way to stoners, which led to the area becoming infamous for weed tourism.
Legalization of the drug in the state is seen as a means to help in boosting revenue and also to keep a check on the illegal marijuana trade across the state’s borders. The CM has also asked for the cooperation of the public in whatever decision the government takes regarding cannabis.
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