Legalise cannabis cultivation call rung out at seminar
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 09 2020: A seminar held today at Khuman Lampak Youth Hostel deliberated on cannabis cultivation in the State.

The seminar held on the topic "Cannabis cultivation in Manipur: Prospects and Constraints" recommended constitution of an expert panel comprising of technical experts in establishing evidences and facts to develop a working paper in the process to advocate amendment of the existing laws towards a favourable policy for cannabis cultivation in Manipur.

The seminar also recommended authorisation of the Permaculture Alliance Manipur (PAM) to undertake a series of advocacy programmes to bring awareness on cannabis cultivation.

Legalise cannabis cultivation call rung out at seminar

Former YAS Commissioner Dr RK Nimai moderated the seminar which was jointly organised by PAM and the State AYUSH Society.

Manipur Medicinal Plant Board Member Secretary Dr Aribam Guneshwor, Dr H Birkumar of the North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) and NAB Additional SP Thounaojam Brinda attended the seminar as guests of honour.

Dr Aribam Guneshwor said that the State Government is quite serious about legalising cannabis in the State.

The State Government has already discussed the matter with authorities concerned three/four times.

After talking at length about the benefits and uses of cannabis, Guneshwor called for legalisation of cannabis for medical purposes, if not fully.

Thounaojam Brinda said that the State has been facing serious problems of extensive cultivation of poppy.

If the present trend of poppy cultivation continues for the next 10 years, the State would suffer devastating effects, she said.

Cannabis is banned in India under NDPS Act 1985 as the Government of India was obliged to do so, being a signatory of the Single Convention Narcotics which was a brainchild of the United States, she said.

Noting that health benefits of cannabis have been proven scientifically and acknowledged in different countries, Brinda said it would be totally misplaced if any one in the State says that cannabis is bad.

Highlighting the drug issues and adverse ecological impacts caused by extensive poppy plantation, Brinda advocated substitution of poppy plantation with cannabis cultivation.

She said that the State can earn substantial revenue from cannabis cultivation.

Cannabis has been already decriminalised in many countries such as Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Croatia and New Zealand and cannabis cultivation has evolved into big industries in these countries, Brinda said.

One effective means of resolving extensive poppy plantation in the State and its adverse impacts would be decriminalisation of cannabis in the State, she added.