Legalization of Ganja production on the card
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 07, 2013:
Plantation and export of Marijuana (Ganja), which is banned in the State but nonetheless being carried out illegally, is likely to be legalized for more productive, safe and useful way.
In this regard, the Central Government is all set to make arrangement for legalizing plantation and export of Marijuana in Manipur on a large scale considering the quality of Marijuana being produced in the State which is far ahead of all other States in the country.
According to a reliable source, with news and fact reports reaching the Central Government that the quality of Marijuana produced in Manipur is of best quality in India as the land and its climate is best suited for the plantation of Marijuana, the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has asked the officials of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) in the State to submit a report in this regard so that Manipur can be declared as the best suited place for plantation of best quality Marijuana.
The source further revealed that the research centre had already send a report as per the instruction of the Central Government without any hesitation and in the most accurate manner.
Since the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India desires to know every bit of detail over the plantation, sowing and use of Marijuana in the State, the CSIR had provided all the required detailed information.
In its report, CSIR mentioned that Manipur has the most suitable soil and climate for the plantation of Marijuana.
Even though the plantation of Marijuana has been done in a secretive way since it is illegal, many of the farmers in State are expert in this business.
The quality of Marijuana produced in the State is the best throughout the country.
The report also mentioned that although Marijuana plantation is done throughout the year, Marijuana that is sown and reaped during the months from September to February is the best quality product and there is high demand for it.
The trend of planting marijuana has been carried out in the State since early days.
It is not only used in smoking but also used as medicines in curing swelling and various other infections, the source added.
The source went on to inform with confidence that the report demanded by the Centre is not meant to put a complete ban on the plantation of Marijuana in the State, but to identify ways and means of using the Marijuana produced in Manipur as medicines in treatment of certain diseases after it is tested by scientists and to give the legal sanction for production of Marijuana on large scale in Manipur.
Though it is quite certain that the Central authority would give its legal approval considering the medicinal aspects of Marijuana, yet the legal authorization would be granted after a serious deliberation and taking into consideration of security measures as Marijuana can also be misused.
The step has to be taken up in a like manner where plantation of poppy plants is legalized in some States of the country, the source added.
Though it is not clear as to when the legalization of Marijuana in the State would be approved, yet considering the medicinal value of the plant, it is most likely that the approval from the Central Government would be arriving at the earliest, the source said.