Himachal Pradesh Assembly Approves Cannabis Cultivation for Medicinal and Industrial Use

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed a resolution to legalise cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes. The move, championed by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and an Assembly committee, aims to harness cannabis as an economic asset without encouraging drug use.

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has taken a landmark decision to legalise cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes. This follows recommendations from an Assembly committee report highlighting the plant's economic potential for the state.

Jagat Singh Negi, Revenue Minister and Assembly committee chair, detailed the report's findings and benefits. He explained that the initiative garnered bipartisan support and was extensively researched through consultations with local residents and studies of successful models in other states like Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh. The overwhelming consensus was in favor of legalisation.

Negi pointed out the practicality of cannabis cultivation, citing its low water requirements, resistance to animal damage, and disease resilience. He assured that industrial hemp would be drug-free, with controlled protocols for medicinal varieties under the NDPS Act. This move, he stressed, is about regulated, beneficial use rather than promoting drug consumption, supported by investor interest and stringent regulations.

During the 2023 Budget Session, the Assembly discussed legalising cannabis cultivation, leading to the formation of a panel of MLAs led by Negi. The panel's comprehensive research, including interactions with local stakeholders and visits to other states, culminated in the resolution's adoption. Chief parliamentary secretary Sundar Singh Thakur and legislators Janak Raj, Hansraj, and Puran Chand were also key members of the committee.