Farmers in India face prison for growing cannabis profitably Magic Post

Illegal cannabis cultivation is growing rapidly in Odisha, India, and many local farmers are turning to the high-profit crop despite its illegality and increased efforts by authorities to curb the trade, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

Cannabis cultivation has become a lucrative business for farmers, who can sell the harvested crop to traders for 1,000 to 1,500 rupees ($12 to $18) per kilogram, the report said.

In major cities, the price can reach 25,000 rupees ($298) per kilogram.

The benefits of growing cannabis far outweigh those of traditional crops, making it an increasingly attractive option for many people living in remote districts of Odisha, including Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada.

For some farmers, the financial gains have allowed them to improve their lifestyle, affording motorbikes, concrete houses and better education opportunities for their children.

However, cannabis cultivation remains illegal under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, which imposes heavy penalties, including up to 20 years in prison.

Authorities have made efforts to eradicate this illegal practice by deploying drones and satellite technologies to track and destroy illicit plantations. Despite these measures, more than 600 tonnes of cannabis have been seized in recent years and large plantations continue to be uprooted.

The crackdown, however, has done little to deter the illegal cannabis trade. Farmers, driven by high profits, continue to cultivate their crops, despite the risk of arrest and imprisonment.

Some have turned to safer crops like millet due to the growing presence of law enforcement, but for others, the substantial profits make growing cannabis too tempting to abandon.

The geographical challenges of Odisha’s rugged terrain have made law enforcement difficult, thereby providing ample cover for illicit cannabis cultivation.

While authorities work to control the problem, the lure of quick wealth through cannabis cultivation continues to push many farmers to take risks.

Early last month, a French national arriving in Pakistan from India was arrested in possession of a large quantity of drugs.

According to a spokesperson for the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), national operations to combat drug trafficking were underway. As part of this effort, the ANF carried out an operation at the Islamabad International Airport, recovering a significant quantity of drugs from the suspect.

The suspect had traveled from India to Islamabad and was on his way to Sri Lanka via Muscat. During the inspection, 1.58 kilograms of hashish were discovered in the suspect’s luggage.

The individual, who had entered Pakistan on a visit visa, was attempting to smuggle the drugs by hiding them in a chocolate wrapper.

Authorities filed a complaint against the suspect under the anti-narcotics law and opened an investigation.