Himachal government will prepare a policy on hemp cultivation for medicinal, industrial, and scientific use thus paving way for utilizing the medicinal properties of cannabis to treat patients, besides raising revenue of the state from the products made of hemp, Revenue and Horticulture Minister, Jagat Singh Negi said on Wednesday.
Chairing a meeting regarding recommendation on non-narcotic use of cannabis, he said that the policy would be framed keeping in view the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substance Rules, 1989.
"The government was committed to curb the menace of drug abuse and various steps were being taken in this regard. Therefore, the cultivation of cannabis will be limited to only industrial, medicinal and scientific use. The step would further reaffirm the government's commitment to safeguard the interests of the farmers and consumers. He added that various products can be made using cannabis plants thus fetching a good amount," a statement quoting the minister said.