- Ranjan Arun Prasad
- For BBC Tamil
Image source, Getty Images
Medicinal cannabis cultivation in Colombia.
An idea has been put forward in the Sri Lankan Parliament to immediately enact legislation to promote cannabis cultivation (cultivation) for the export of cannabis.
The idea was mooted by Diana Gamage, a Member of Parliament who was elected to Parliament by the United People’s Power and supported the ruling Sri Lanka People’s Alliance.
The idea was put forward by the ruling party MP Shantha Bandara in the House.
Diana Gamage also told parliament that most countries in the world are making huge profits through cannabis cultivation.
The position of the opposition
The United People’s Power, the main opposition party, has demanded that a comprehensive discussion be held on the legalization of cannabis cultivation.
United People’s Power MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena told BBC Tamil. Discussions should be initiated on issues including the medicinal properties of cannabis and its use.
He says it will be possible to explain the relationship only after detailed discussions are initiated.
Cannabis Export Opposition to legislation
Nidarshana Sellathurai, Program Officer, Alcohol and Drug Information Center, says that by allowing and legalizing cannabis cultivation in Sri Lanka, social ills will increase.
He says that although cannabis is currently banned in Sri Lanka, cannabis is still used in the country.
Image source, Getty Images
In this case, if cannabis cultivation is allowed and legalized, it is likely to be used more and more within the country. He notes that even if permission is granted for export, there will still be use domestically.
Permission is currently being sought only for the export of cannabis, but it is likely that permission will be sought for domestic use in the future.
Thus, he says he is taking action against the legalization of cannabis.
He says that in Sri Lanka, there are various crops for export beyond cannabis and they are not given priority.
He also raised the question of why some, like Diana Gamage, do not prioritize other crops, preferring only cannabis.
Social impact of cannabis
Nidarshana Sellathurai says that when cannabis is used, it can cause various physical and mental harms. Also, people have the opportunity to face economic problems.
The question arises as to whether another crop can be grown on land where cannabis has been cultivated. In the families of cannabis users, there is domestic conflict and violence against women and children.
Diana Gamage’s answer
Cannabis is a drug-free drug, says Diana Gamage, a Member of Parliament for Cannabis. He mentioned this in an interview with BBC Tamil.
Most countries in the world have legalized cannabis, and many countries are using cannabis. In addition, many countries export cannabis and use it for pharmaceutical purposes.
The demand for cannabis, he says, is increasing day by day. He points out that diseases in the world will never go away and therefore, such herbs with medicinal properties are essential.
He says cannabis is an export crop that could fetch billions in the near future. With the country facing a massive economic downturn today, we need to think of ways to recover from it.
Diana Gamage was asked how she could be assured that cannabis would not be used domestically. He replied that cannabis is not a drug.
He says the World Health Organization has accepted that there is no drug that can cause harm. Kerala cannabis is currently being used as a synthetic, which can cause massive harm in the country. That alone will have a massive impact. According to Diana Gamage, cannabis is an integral part of Sri Lankan culture. Cannabis cultivation can create huge employment opportunities for the country and most of the important products can be produced through cannabis. Diana Gamage says she can make a variety of products, including beauty products and medical items.
When asked if the Sri Lankan economy could be built through drug trafficking, he replied that cannabis is an herb and it is not a drug.
Product by frame
The government says it plans to work with the Attorney General’s Department, the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Ayurveda to prepare a legal source, with parliament approving legislation to cultivate cannabis for export.
The government hopes that the bill will be tabled in Parliament and passed into law.
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