Should weed be regulated, instead of banned?

Marijuana/cannabis/weed/pot is a recreational drug, known for its medicinal properties. While illegal in a lot of countries, it is legal in some of the important ones like parts of the US, Canada, Georgia etc.

It’s use needs to be regulated, because larger doses of it can cause hallucinations and irrational fear. But it’s nowhere close to being the level of harmful as methamphetamines, opiods (heroin) or other synthetic drugs.

Weed has a spiritual significance in India too. It’s associated with Lord Shiva’s energy. People consume it as bhaang during Holi and it’s socially acceptable at that time. I find it odd that the same substance that is considered holy during a festival, suddenly becomes a criminal offence post it.

I wish people would stop categorising the ones who recreationally smoke or consume small amounts of weed as “druggies” or drug peddlers. It is really not the same thing.

Smoking a joint is akin to drinking alcohol. Both have their good and bad. But unlike the latter, if done responsibly, weed even has therapeutic effects.

The state needs to regulate how much weed can be safely consumed instead of using this opportunity to make people criminals and political scapegoats.

It should be legalised and regulated. Regulating it wouldn't exactly be possible, bootleggers will always be around but keeping it illegal isn't helping anyone. It used to be legal until the 60s and no huge damage was done to society . I wouldn't put much stock in the Shiva thing, afterall his life is an impractical one to live. Same goes for bhang and holi. But I agree with you on the hypocrisy of it. It's supposed to be holy or objectionable according to people's convenience . The way people talk about those who smoke up as if they 've been masturbating in public ,is just ridiculous.

Can be a problem if it becomes a gateway drug. And it does sometimes cause paranoia . But then..alcohol can be way worse.

Personally I have no interest in it. I'm already this close to feeling high. Don't need a push.

@ bold - Exactly. India had a rich tradition of consuming and cooking with weed. If it is legalised, the bootleggers will not earn as much out of supplying it. Plus, people will opt for safer and good quality marijuana products from trusted sources.

By bringing up Shiva, I just wanted to bring out the point that people make it holy and a sin as per their convenience. On Holi, there is good natured ribbing about those who have consumed bhaang, but the moment the festival is over, it’s not acceptable anymore.

Like alcohol, people should be allowed to consume it responsibly with enough information out there about the proper dosage.

I don’t consume it either, but the reason I brought this topic out is due to the hullabaloo around celebrities consuming it. NCB is nabbing people for having small non commercial quantities of weed in their homes, while ignoring crores and crores of heroin being smuggled.

Consuming weed has become a political weapon to be used at whim and fancies of any Tom, Dick and Harry. Media is calling these people druggies and social media is lynching them as drug peddlers. When you get into details, you realise they were just pot smokers, chilling peacefully in their homes.

All of this can be avoided if weed is legalised and regulated.

Originally posted by: TrollikaDevi

It should be legalised and regulated. Regulating it wouldn't exactly be possible, bootleggers will always be around but keeping it illegal isn't helping anyone. It used to be legal until the 60s and no huge damage was done to society . I wouldn't put much stock in the Shiva thing, afterall his life is an impractical one to live. Same goes for bhang and holi. But I agree with you on the hypocrisy of it. It's supposed to be holy or objectionable according to people's convenience . The way people talk about those who smoke up as if they 've been masturbating in public ,is just ridiculous.

Can be a problem if it becomes a gateway drug. And it does sometimes cause paranoia . But then..alcohol can be way worse.

Personally I have no interest in it. I'm already this close to feeling high. Don't need a push.

Apt question for Bollywood forum.

On a serious note, why was Marijuana banned from India in first place? According to Ayurveda its supposed to have medicinal benefits.

Why was po*n banned? Government is like -

It is too much work for the government to regulate the process , so they make it easier by banning the end product 🤣

Originally posted by: Zeal17

Apt question for Bollywood forum.

On a serious note, why was Marijuana banned from India in first place? According to Ayurveda its supposed to have medicinal benefits.

Gujarat always ahead of the curve..

On 21 February 2017, Gujarat legalized bhang by removing it from the list of "intoxicating drugs" covered by section 23 of the Gujarat Prohibition Act.

Actually, this is the law regarding cannabis consumption in India at present -

Bhang, which is made using the leaves of the cannabis plant, has close ties to the worship of Shiva in Hinduism as well as the celebration of the festival Holi across India in the form of a drink called ‘thandai’. The sale and consumption of bhang is permitted under law in India due to the NDPS Act’s definition of cannabis.

While the NDPS Act prohibits the sale and production of cannabis resin and flowers, the use of seeds and leaves is allowed. Further, section 14 of the Act makes a “special provision” for cannabis, where the government may allow cultivation of a cannabis plant “for industrial purposes only of obtaining fibre or seed or for horticultural purposes.”

Source:

My point is that why do we criminalise one part of the plant, while making the other parts legal? Isn’t it better to legalise it as a whole and regulate consumption?

Originally posted by: Zeal17

Gujarat always ahead of the curve..

On 21 February 2017, Gujarat legalized bhang by removing it from the list of "intoxicating drugs" covered by section 23 of the Gujarat Prohibition Act.

Originally posted by: gurl-enchanted

My point is that why do we criminalise one part of the plant, while making the other parts legal? Isn’t it better to legalise it as a whole and regulate consumption?

My knowledge of this matter is limited to the political aspect of it.

I can't say much about legalizing... kardena chaiye it will pss-off America and I will be happy about it..

@ bold - This is a very valid reason 🤣 I would love that too.

Originally posted by: Zeal17

My knowledge of this matter is limited to the political aspect of it.

I can't say much about legalizing... kardena chaiye it will pss-off America and I will be happy about it..

I want weed to be regularized. People should not be allowed to drive or doing any activity which harms themselves or others after consumption. Sales should be regulated. All the black marketing sales should be banned.

PS: I was once given prescription opioids pain killer once by doctor. It relived the pain really easily and I slept comfortably. It does relaxes you well. The pain killer given to me earlier literally gave me a headache for a week.

I understand why people take weed. But I would not suggest it to anyone who has an addiction or suffering from any psychiatric or psychological issues. It is deadly even for anyone with severe disease.