Express news service
CHENNAI: With the demand for hemp, a variety of the sativa cannabis plant and its growing value-added products, the Tamil Nadu government is actively considering allowing the cultivation of hemp for industrial and medical purposes.
Recently, the State Planning Commission held a discussion on “the promotion of hemp crops in Tamil Nadu” and asked the Tamil Nadu University of Agriculture to submit a feasibility report.
In a letter dated May 31, the Secretary-General of the State Planning Commission, TS Rajsekar, wrote to the Commissioner of Agricultural Production and the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare to identify the viability of the crop. of hemp in the agro-climatic conditions of Tamil Nadu, especially with regard to the use of fallow land. .
Hemp and marijuana (ganja) are part of the cannabis species and look identical, but they have unique properties that distinguish their use.
Hemp is not psychoactive with less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which ranges from 0.3 to 1 percent. It has a variety of industrial economic applications that would help farmers. Marijuana contains between 5 and 35% THC and is mainly used to make banned narcotics.
But both species are seen with the same “suspicious” lens and are regulated by the Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 (NDPS Act), although hemp has overwhelming benefits.
Vasudha Chakravarthi, a Nilgiris independent cannabis researcher who approached the State Planning Commission and made a presentation on the authorized cultivation of hemp in Tamil Nadu, told The New Indian Express: “Hemp is a crop. fast-growing, low-maintenance, which makes it eco-friendly. ”
“Cannabidiol Alkaloid Beneficial for Mental Disorders”
“The fiber extracted from the hemp stem is used in the textile industry and various oils made from hemp seeds are considered highly nutritious. The pulp of the leaves can be used to make paper, building materials, etc. In addition, hemp has high levels of the medicinal alkaloid cannabidiol (CBD), which is widely used by cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies, ”he said.
Vasudha recently extracted CBD oil from hemp from Uttarakhand, where its cultivation is legal, and used it in chronically ill elephants with the permission of the forestry department. The animals showed signs of recovery. There are several WHO reports highlighting the therapeutic benefits of CBD for various mental disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety, and even cancer.
When contacted, Sultan Ahmed Ismail, a member of the State Planning Commission, said: “Given the potential benefits of hemp, we have asked the Department of Agriculture to comment.”
“The competent authorities, the University of Agriculture and the Department of Horticulture, must conduct clinical trials and field experiments to verify the suitability of hemp cultivation in Tamil Nadu. We must also be aware of the legal implications. Once the feasibility report is received, the State Planning Commission will give its recommendations to the state government, ”he said.
Delzaad Deolaliwala, co-founder and director of Bombay Hemp Company and president of the Pan India Medical Cannabis & Hemp Association, says sections 10 (iii) and 14 of the NDPS Act authorize state governments to allow and regulate the cultivation of any plant. cannabis for industry. and for medical purposes, but most state governments are reluctant to formulate policies.
Recently, the Union government, responding to a petition submitted to the Delhi High Court, said that state governments can “allow, control, regulate the cultivation of any cannabis plant, production, manufacturing, possession, transportation … or use of cannabis (except charas) for medical, scientific and industrial purposes “.
“There is no complete ban on cannabis under the NDPS Act, but it can be used for medical, scientific, industrial and horticultural purposes if they take the necessary permits from the respective state governments,” the affidavit from the director of Narcotics Control said. .
