Himachal to promote regulated cannabis cultivation for medicinal, fibre use

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Rural awareness campaign to be launched soon; farmers to pay Rs 1,000 per bigha for non-intoxicating crop

Kullu, September 8

Himachal Pradesh would soon launch an awareness campaign in rural areas to promote regulated cannabis cultivation for fibre and medicinal purposes, Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur said here on Tuesday.

Talking to the media, Thakur said preparations for cannabis cultivation had been completed and the government would soon begin outreach to encourage farmers to take it up as an additional source of income.

He said farmers cultivating non-intoxicating cannabis for fibre would have to pay a fee of Rs 1,000 per bigha. The fibre could be used to manufacture clothes and other products, he added.

The MLA further said large companies were also being invited to undertake cannabis cultivation for medicinal purposes in Himachal Pradesh and manufacture medicines from the crop. “Such medicines can provide relief to patients suffering from several incurable diseases,” he added.

Responding to claims that the BJP was opposing cannabis cultivation, Thakur said the allegation was incorrect. He said BJP legislators had also been part of the committee that prepared the draft for cannabis cultivation and had expressed their consent to the proposal.

He said the government would now take further steps and launch the awareness campaign, particularly in rural areas.