On Friday, 24th January, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet gave the green signal to a pilot study on the regulated cultivation of Cannabis. Two universities will collaborate to conduct the study – Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, and Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture, Nauni, Solan. It is a six-month initiative that will look into the feasibility of the cultivation of Cannabis in the region and create a detailed plan for its industrial, medicinal and scientific use in the future. The assigned Nodal body for the study is the Department of Agriculture.
Committee member Jagat Singh Negi, Horticulture, Revenue and Tribal Minister and chair of the Assembly committee revealed that the idea was initially discussed in the assembly during the Budget session of 2023, under Rule 130. It is believed to have gained support from both the ruling and opposition parties, after which an expert committee was appointed to investigate further and highlight the potential of Cannabis to be an economic asset for the state. He also confirmed that while industrial hemp would be “drug-free”, cultivation of medicinal Cannabis would be tightly controlled, similar to what we have for opium cultivation under the NDPS Act 1885.
Jagat Singh Negi also emphasised that the study is conducted not to encourage drug use but to explore the plant’s potential as raw material in the industrial and medicinal sectors. Before submitting its report, committee members had already visited several districts of Himachal Pradesh and consulted the gram panchayats to determine public opinion. This move is expected to pave the way for legalising the use of cannabis in the region for non-intoxication purposes.
Agricultural minister Chander Kumar confirmed further that only seeds with very low levels of THC will be grown during the study. The Excise and Taxation Department and law enforcement agencies will strictly supervise the study. He also mentioned that the seeds will initially be researched at agricultural universities. New farming lands will also be specified within the region to conduct the study. All activities undertaken in the study will adhere to Sections 10 and 14 of the NDPS Act and Rule 29 of the Himachal Pradesh NDPS Rules 1989.
While there has been overwhelming support from farmers for legalising the cultivation of cannabis, some raise concerns about the strict regulations that are expected to surround it. Former Narcotics Control Bureau officer and ex-adviser to the Himachal Pradesh Nasha Nivaran Board, OP Sharma adds a word of caution. He says that it is imperative to address the issues with organised drug cartels in the region and eliminate them. He also points out that it is necessary to have exhaustive documentation of regions with unauthorised cannabis cultivation. He further stressed that vigilance needs to be maintained on the interested firms looking to purchase the controlled harvest.