The natural psycho-active plants commonly found in India include cannabis, poppy, khat and datura. Cannabis and opium are part of the cultural and religious elements in India, used and kept under control for thousands of years.

The international community, however, views these two drugs as particularly troublesome. Cannabis is processed into three main products before it is consumed: bhang, ganja (marijuana) and charas. Opium use flourished despite invasions from Alexander to the Mughals; it was finally monopolised by the British. It takes many forms from being blown through a hubble bubble pipe (hukka) as madak to being brewed with tea as bonda chai.

Unlike poppy, cannabis can be grown anywhere in India; in some regions it grows wild, which has made it difficult to effectively control cultivation. The British went about opium trading, systematically controlling cultivation, consumption, production and sale within the country and its export. Production, however, did not exceed demand, ensuring that profit margins were kept high.

Western tourists tipped up the scales for cannabis.

Their demand modified the traditional association with drugs that existed in India, roping in several Indian youngsters. It became a sought after substance in certain strata of society. With higher profit margins, and the demand coming from comparatively richer consumers, cannabis laid the dragnet for many traders

The present drug control strategy of India can be traced back to the Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs of 1961. This was enforced in December 1964 and amended in 1972.

It would also come as a surprise to most that the Indian Government considered cultivation of marijuana to compensate for the loss from the hashish trade in 1941.

Kashmiri students launch drive against cannabis cultivation

Students in Jammu and Kashmir have taken on the responsibility of creating public awareness about the ills of cannabis cultivation.

So intense is their desire to rid the serene Kashmir Valley of this menace, that they have launched a drive against people coming in from outside to cultivate the crop. Over 250 school students are taking part in the drive.

The children volunteered to destroy the crop with gardening instruments like sickles and vowed to get rid of the menace. They also burnt the crop.

The general view is that though the marijuana trade is lucrative trade, it encourages illegal narcotics trade, and at times, acts as a major source of finance for terror activities.

The trade has its origins in the leaves of the cannabis plant, which are converted into a popular products like Bhaang. A seven kilometre stretch on the outskirts of Srinagar is said to be the main conduit for narcotics.

"A large stretch is used for cultivation of Cannabis. Outsiders come here and cut the crop and take it outside and sell it. They say that it is from Kashmir. We thought we would wipe this disgrace out, once and for all," said Professor Gowher, a principal of a local school.

"Nowadays, the youth are using it which results in a harm to their health. They should get rid of it to prosper," said Mudasir Raza, a student.

"Our teacher came to us and educated us about the detriments of Bhaang. We want to destroy it completely," said Ajaz Ahmad, another student.

"When we take the it, it affects our nervous system and brain. Our step is a healthy one. We will tell people about the bad effects it has on those who use it," adds Rafiq.

"I would like to thank the children who came here and protested against Bhaang and who destroyed the crop. I want to thank them. I hope the locals appreciate the work of the students and the other institutes also come forward," said a teacher.

Source: keralanews