High Court Rejects Petition to Legalize Hemp Cultivation in Chhattisgarh, Says Policy Decision Lies with Government

Bilaspur,C.G

The Chhattisgarh High Court has dismissed a petition seeking legalization of hemp cultivation, stating that framing and implementing such policies is the prerogative of the government, not the judiciary. The court emphasized the separation of powers in its decision.

The High Court (Chhattisgarh Highcourt) has dismissed the PIL filed advocating commercial cultivation of hemp in Chhattisgarh. The court said that no PIL will run unless it involves personal interest. The case was heard in the DB of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice BD Guru.

The petitioner S.A. Kale filed a PIL seeking direction to the respondent authorities to take immediate action with a positive attitude to harness the economic, social and environmental benefits of the 'Golden Plant' hemp to improve the lives of the citizens of Chhattisgarh.

The petitioner personally informed that he has taken acknowledgement by personally giving a memorandum to all the concerned officials on 22.02.2024. But, not a single general or specific action has been taken by the respondents till date, including responding to the petitioner. Further, in the said representation, he has highlighted the many benefits of the 'Golden Plant', which are supported by several researches and government reports. This shows that this ‘golden plant’ has the potential to be a “new generation gold mine” for the farmers of Chhattisgarh. He further argued that large-scale cultivation of cannabis for horticultural and industrial uses is permitted by Indian law as per the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act).