- In an ambiguous measure not lost on the comprehending observers, India has voted in favor of a move by the United Nations Commission of Narcotic Drugs to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 convention, where it was listed alongside drugs like heroin. Such a move explicitly demonstrates that India supports the reclassification of marijuana to drop it from the strictest drug control list. Indeed, it is a welcome move much appreciated by all those concerned who were vociferously insisting on the reclassification of cannabis.
PC: Dmytro Tyshchenko
- However, it will not go unnoticed that the government authorities at home have been doggedly pursuing and prosecuting Bollywood and other film personalities from the regional film industry for allegations of marijuana possession of even very small quantities. If the pandemic tops the newsmakers list by quite a distance for the year, the alleged possession and consumption of marijuana by these personalities is not too far behind garnering prominent prime time coverage in both print as well as electronic media. We are witness to it.
- No day passes without any news on drugs making it to the headlines as a matter of routine. As such, if the Indian government thinks marijuana is a less dangerous drug and has potential medicinal and therapeutic value, as claimed by the patrons for since long, then why has it been coming down so heavily and consistently on film personalities with a zeal for what can at best be classified as a minor offense? Only authorities or the bosses above could clear the air on seemingly different yardsticks adopted in their approaches.
PC: TNN
- Few of the regional actors continue to be jailed on charges of possessing the drug. It is a no-brainer to understand that in treating allegations of marijuana possession as a serious matter and tarnishing the tinsel world’s image, the government through agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau has severely undermined the one industry that has contributed the most to India’s soft power across the globe. The law of natural justice demands the application of one rule, one law to every citizen but the practice in vogue is to the contrary.
- It appears, the authorities are hellbent on applying differing benchmarks suiting their questionable perceptions. While film personalities are targeted incessantly throwing rule book at them, images of sadhus and ascetics openly consuming marijuana starkly contradict the implementation of the law. There is no denying the fact that cannabis has long been an integral part of Indian tradition and will remain so in the future too. Therefore, India too must reverse course and initiate measures to decriminalize marijuana on the lines of the UN.
