Bhubaneswar: Former BJD MP Tathagata Satpathy on Tuesday came down heavily on the Odisha government for not allowing the cultivation of marijuana (ganja) in the state.
“I came to know today that the state government has decided not to allow the cultivation of marijuana in Odisha. All I can say is that the government lacks foresight,” Satpathy told the media here.
Justifying his contention, Satpathy said marijuana plant has immense medicinal value for diseases like cancer and asthma.
The cultivation of marijuana does not require much investment as it is a resilient plant and does not need much water and manure. This will be more beneficial to small and marginal farmers.
Stating that Uttarakhand government has allowed marijuana cultivation, Satpathy said during his recent visit to Telangana, he came to know that the neighbouring government is seriously considering legalising marijuana cultivation.
Referring to the decision taken by the Odisha government, he said the state government should amend the rules and frame a new law to decriminalise marijuana cultivation.
