More Calls for ‘Controlled Cultivation’ of Himachal Pradesh Cannabis As Several Countries Show Interest

Calls for controlled cultivation of cannabis in Himachal Pradesh have received an unlikely impetus due to interest shown by countries like Canada, Israel and Malaysia in high quality cannabis extract from the state for industrial and medical purposes.

In March this year, the BJP government had withdrawn an official statement that said Himachal Pradesh, like Uttarakhand, could examine a proposal on cultivation of cannabis for “medicinal purposes and cultivation of low psychotropic content cannabis for hemp production.”

A section of growers, mainly in Shimla and Mandi parliamentary constituencies, have long been pressing political parties like the Congress and the BJP to legalise and promote cannabis and poppy cultivation to supplement their income, according to news agency IANS.

Kullu MLA Sunder Thakur has also advocated controlled cultivation of cannabis for economic returns to the locals.

But now the issue has gained traction again with ambassadors and high commissioners of many countries “evincing interest in high quality cannabis extracts, which grows in abundance in Kullu, Mandi and other parts of the state,” The Tribune reported.