(a) whether in view of the fact that industrial hemp is not-toxic plant but belong to “Hemp Plants Family”, the Ministry is taking any steps to remove myth from minds of State Governments so that coordination in the production of the plant can start;
(b) the number of States that have so far brought out a policy for coordination in the production of industrial hemp; and
(c) the quantum of industrial hemp plants and products exported from the country?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)
(a) & (b): As per Section 8 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 prohibits cultivation of cannabis plant (hemp) except for medical or scientific purposes. Section 10 of the NDPS Act, subject to the provisions of Section 8 empowers the State Governments to permit and regulate the cultivation of any cannabis plant, production, manufacture, possession, transport, import inter-state, export inter-state, sale, purchase consumption or use of cannabis (excluding Charas). Special provision has also been laid down relating to cannabis in Section 14 of the NDPS Act wherein the act empowers the Government to, by general or special order, permit cultivation of cannabis exclusively for horticultural and industrial purposes. Besides, National Policy on Narcotic Drugs framed in consultation with State Governments also provides provision for cultivation of Cannabis for industrial and horticulture purposes. As per available information Government of Uttarakhand has regulated hemp cultivation in the State.
(c): Export of Hemp during the last two years and current year (upto September 2019) is as under:-
ITCHS Code Description Value in US$
2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
530210 True Hemp Raw or Retted 1213 407 0
530820 True Hemp Yarn 71 2808 40
Total---? 1284 3215 40
Source:- Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), Kolkata.
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