Govt will issue licences for cannabis cultivation: Revenue Minister Negi

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi today said that the state government would issue licences to farmers for undertaking controlled cultivation of cannabis for non-narcotic use after the rules in this regard are given Cabinet nod.

“Today I held a meeting with various government departments to frame rules and make necessary amendments to allow controlled cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes,” he said. The meeting was attended by officials from the Excise, Law, Horticulture, Agriculture and other concerned departments.

Negi said that these rules will be placed before the Cabinet and after approval licences will be issued to people for undertaking controlled cultivation of cannabis. “I guarantee that there will be no scope for drug trafficking and farmers, who will be issued licences, will benefit by growing cannabis for various non-narcotic uses,” he said

He said Uttarakhand has already allowed controlled cultivation and Himachal too was moving in this direction. “It is a misconception that this could create a problem of illegal cultivation of cannabis. Cannabis grows in the wild in forests in Himachal and various agencies have failed to control it,” he said.

He said cannabis cultivation would be done through seeds which will not have narcotic content and we will allow use of mainly the fiber, leaves and flowers for various uses. “As far as allowing cultivation of cannabis for manufacturing medicines is concerned, it will be grown in poly houses with fencing, under strict watch and cameras to ensure that there is no misuse or pilferage,” he said.

Negi said a workshop was held here in the state capital with stakeholders, who are making products from cannabis, to get their feedback. “This was to showcase that cannabis can be put to several uses like medicines, apparels, cosmetics, fashion items, leather and construction material,” he said.

Responding to the felling of apple trees on encroached forest land, Negi said this was being done as per the High Court orders. “Under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), the government cannot give land to anyone. Only those people whose three generations have been dependent for their livelihood on forest land are eligible to be given forest land,” he clarified.

He said so far 61 people have lost their lives in incidents of cloudbursts, flashfloods and heavy rains this monsoon. Negi said apart from these 61 deaths, 41 people had died in road accidents. He said work was being undertaken on a war footing to restore road connectivity, water and electricity supply.

Himachal Tribune