Legalise marijuana: Government’s contradictions on cannabis use must be ironed out
Editorial
Sunday, December 6, 2020
India has voted in favour in the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention. It was only under American pressure that the Indian government banned all narcotic substances, including marijuana, in the 1980s. But today there is a change of heart in the US itself. The House of Representatives just passed a legislation that would decriminalise marijuana and expunge non-violent marijuana-related convictions. At least 15 American states have legalised recreational cannabis while 35 states in all have legalised medical marijuana. India too must reverse course and decriminalise marijuana. A BJP government ought to be more inclined towards upholding what’s been for long an Indian tradition anyway. (See also Indian Express editorial: Clear the smoke)
