When the Union Minister Maneka Gandhi extended her support for legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, it sparked quite a few arguments for or against the matter. But she isn’t the only politician to do so and the Parliament has been discussing this issue for quite some while now. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985 states that the possession, trade, transport and consumption of marijuana (among other narcotic and psychotropic substances) is a criminal offence. However, perhaps it might be revised.

The reason for revising would just not be on the instigation of politicians but also companies that wish to launch products relating to the use of marijuana. The medicinal values are the major reason for which marijuana must be legalized, even in restricted trade terms if need be. The number of diseases that can be cured with it are immense. Not only that, another reason for which the trade, or cultivation, must begin was to research its uses further, which Baba Ramdev of Patanjali wished to do. Yet again, the decision of Coca Cola to make marijuana-infused drinks in the United States has sparked the concerns on whether or not it is time for India to legalize weed.

Tathagata Satpathy, a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP from Odisha pointed out in an interview with TOI, “In Odisha, people smoking chillum is a common sight and not something you notice, just like someone drinking water or tea.” According to him, it is only a matter of concern if a particular intoxication overpowers one’s life. He is also of the opinion that the criminalisation of cannabis possession and consumption is ‘elitist’, since the rich aren’t eyed the same way for a glass of wine held in their hand.

But, can we grow marijuana plants in India?

Since one of the best weeds of the country hails from Himachal Pradesh (Malana), Mysore (Mango Kush) or Kerala (Idukki Gold), India definitely has the climate to grow weed. It has been grown illegally throughout the country since the beginning of the NDPS Act in 1985. This act is responsible for making the whole thing ‘illegal’ and the penalty is quite huge. It is either a minimum of 6 months of jail and a fine of Rs. 10,000 if you are caught smoking a joint, or up to 10 years of jail and a fine of Rs. 1 lakh if you are caught growing it in your house. 

If India wants the black mark production and distribution of cannabis to stop, it should be legalized anyway. If you’re worried about people getting addicted, a study shows that only 9 percent of people who consume it get addicted, as opposed to 32 percent for tobacco, 15 for alcohol and 16 for cocaine. In the time of issues of underemployment, this new industry would create many more job opportunities, earn the Government more revenue and open more prospects of trade as well (Coca Cola’s new drink, for example).

Moreover, it has been time and again debated about how cannabis are something that ancient India and Hindus are familiar with and if they could manage living in a world where consuming it was normal, we can do it now too.