Why the Parliament must carefully consider a private members’ bill to decriminalise natural drugs

Gandhi’s proposed amendments mark a radical departure from the approach that the police and governments have historically used
The Caravan (India)
Friday, November 4, 2016

dharamvira-ghandiIn the coming session of the Parliament of India, Dharam Vira Gandhi, a member of parliament from Patiala, will table a private member’s bill to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The bill proposes that the definition of “narcotics” and “psychotropic substances” in the act, which currently includes all drugs, be classified into “soft” drugs – which are naturally grown, such as opium and poppy husk – and “hard” drugs – which are synthetic compounds and laboratory or industry-made chemicals. (See also: Legal marijuana in India? Punjab lawmaker Dharamvir Gandhi set to move Parliament)