Himachal Pradesh close to legalising cannabis cultivation in a controlled manner

Constituted on April 26, 2023, the committee included scientists, horticulture experts, and members of all political parties.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi tabled the report in the Assembly on Friday.

The committee’s recommendations, which were accepted, include amending the Himachal Pradesh NDPS Rules to permit, control, and regulate the cultivation of cannabis plants, along with the production, manufacture, possession, transport, and interstate movement.

The Department of Agriculture, in coordination with research and development experts and universities, will develop seed banks for cannabis cultivation. In the meantime, specialised staff will be provided to the excise department to handle the additional work.

The committee’s members visited Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, where controlled cannabis cultivation is permitted. They also held meetings with representatives of gram panchayats in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Solan to gather public opinion on cannabis cultivation in Himachal Pradesh.

The committee report stated, “There was overwhelming support in favor of allowing cannabis cultivation in the state with appropriate checks and balances.”

Uttarakhand is the first state to allow large-scale industrial hemp cultivation under government guidelines.