Marijuana should be legalized in India, Shashi Tharoor writes why
In an opinion piece written for The Print, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor argued why it is important to legalize marijuana in India, the land of bhang. The article was co-authored by his nephew Avinash, and delved on how legalizing the drug will put an end to corruption and help India's economy. He wrote the cannabis black market was eating away the country. Here's more.
India's quest with marijuana: When was it banned
India signed the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs treaty in 1961, that made cannabis illegal. In 1985, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of Indian law left all scope of making the drug legal. Cannabis have fewer disadvantages than alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, the Tharoor duo argued. But they wrote it wasn't harmless and unregulated intake could have disastrous effects on health.
Then why advocate legalization of harmful drug? The Tharoors explain
Accepting the defects of cannabis, the article detailed buyers are at risk in this case. Their dealers inform them the item is of highest quality procured from Manali, but they don't know about THC strength- the psychoactive constituent that makes one high. By legalizing it, the buyer would know what they are inhaling. In effect, that would standardize the process.
Further, legalizing marijuana will stop corruption, the article tells
Apart from ensuring the safety of buyers, legalizing marijuana could also tackle criminal activities, the article read. "Due to the drug's illegality, cannabis sales currently line the pockets of various characters in a vast criminal underworld," the article pointed out. They also wrote dealers and sellers relied on corruption to escape prosecution, and that will end once marijuana is legalized.
It will also generate revenue, like with alcohol and tobacco
Shashi and Avinash Tharoor wrote legalizing marijuana would generate revenues, like alcohol and tobacco; and also provide employment for farmers and factory workers. "Alongside the money saved on policing and imprisoning people for cannabis offenses, the legal regulation would also provide a boost to our economy," the article read. They gave the example of Colorado where marijuana sale accounted for $1.5 billion in 2017.
"India is home to marijuana, why not legalize it?"
The article explains how marijuana has been a part of Indian mythology and its 'bhang' form used in religious ceremonies. "The cannabis plant, although now grown the world over, is indigenous to the subcontinent. Cannabis is referred to in ancient Indian historic and religious texts," the write-up pointed out. While cannabis lovers would agree with Tharoors, there's a lot of uncertainty over marijuana's legalization.
