Gujarat bans rolling paper: Govt bans sale of rolling paper, cones to curtail drug abuse

The notification states that the prohibitory order has been issued under Sections 163(2) (provides for issuing orders immediately without issuing notice) and 163(3) (orders that can target a specific person or location) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The ban comes into effect at all outlets and retail e-commerce stores selling rolling paper and ‘gogo’ cones.
The notification also specifies that those violating the prohibitory order will be booked under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which provides penalties for disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.

The notification comes two days after the Surat city police launched a drive to curb the sale of rolling paper by taking stores into confidence. Surat City Commissioner of Police Anupamsinh Gahlaut told The Indian Express, “The issue came to our notice when we recently confiscated a stash of hybrid ganja. It was found that there is no way for consuming hybrid ganja without rolling paper and cones. These are also not used for any other purpose…”

Gahlaut added, “In fact, recently, a newer version of these cones and paper came, along with pipes to make stuffing contraband easier. It is a major step that the Gujarat Home Department has recognised this problem and issued prohibitory orders that gives the police the power to book persons involved in sale of such paper.”

Earlier on Tuesday, hours before the notification was effected, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Surat City police conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations to seize suspicious packets of tobacco products as well as hookahs, along with other products used for weighing, crushing and consuming narcotics. A similar drive was also organised in Vadodara city, where police teams were deployed to check parlours and outlets involved in sale of rolling paper.