ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.
ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024
| Introduction: Contextual introduction. Body: Write some points related to significance of the decriminalizing marijuana in India. Also, write some concerns. Way forward: Brief conclusion. |
Decriminalizing marijuana would not mean individuals can use the drug with impunity. Instead, decriminalization simply means that individuals possessing or using marijuana will be subject to punishment in the form of a fine rather than a jail sentence. In other words, marijuana use will not result in a criminal record and possible jail time.
Significance:
- Medical Treatment: Marijuana plants can be used to reduce the nerve pain of patients suffering with cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS.
- Decrease the Prison Population: It will decrease the prison population and save money that the government now spends on enforcing laws and this money could be better spent elsewhere.
- Safer Than Alcohol or Tobacco: WHO study concluded Marijuana is not as unhealthy compared to alcohol and tobacco products. Moreover, person cannot die from an overdose using cannabis and it is non-toxic.
- Elimination of illegal trade: India has an enormous black market for the sale of marijuana in the country. Decriminalisation of trade would ensure that the government earns taxes, farmers, and retailers develop a new source of income.
- Creation of job opportunities: It would generate employment opportunities. Their sales and quality will be regulated. Its manufacture, processing, transportation and sale would require manpower and vehicles. The same would generate employment.
Concerns:
- In long term addiction, decreased mental ability and behavioural problems in children (when mothers used marijuana during pregnancy).
- Marijuana is a gateway drug. A private study found more than 40% who used marijuana also used other ‘Hard’ drugs.
- Against the Directive Principles of Article 47 which specifically calls for the prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health
- Difficulty in regulation: The fallouts of pharmaceutical product divergence into cattle market and drugs without prescription can continue in Marijuana too and put India’s younger generation at risk.
- Not have completely proven medical records. g. there is no evidence that it is beneficial when used in diseases such as Crohn’s disease, sleep disorder, glaucoma, etc.
Marijuana is the cultural substance of India. Marijuana might have its side effects, but almost all medicines and intoxicants have them too. In that context, excluding marijuana becomes unfair. However, due to the lack of clear research in determining the long-term effects of marijuana, it would be a risky affair to decriminalise the same in the country.
