Mateen Hafeez (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 16, 2018)

Mumbai: Actor Uday Chopra has stirred a debate, and a controversy, on social media with his post that India should legalise marijuana use. While tweets, some angry ones, were fired, Mumbai police joined the issue to caution Chopra that “consumption, possession and transportation’’ of marijuana invites harsh punishment under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

Chopra, who has 1.4 million followers on Twitter, first tweeted on Thursday evening, offering his reasons. “Firstly, it’s part of our culture. Secondly, I think if legalized and taxed it can be a huge revenue source. Not to mention it will remove the criminal element associated with it. Plus, and most importantly, it has a lot of medical benefits,” he tweeted.

Though cannabis has traditionally been used in India, its cultivation is highly controlled and carried out mainly in the north. In his tweets, Chopra said, “…in Holi, bhaang has been used for centuries. Also, during Mahashivratri, many sadhus smoke marijuana in emulation of Shiva. Guess more religion than culture, but the two are kind of inter-related.”

In another tweet, Uday Chopra said, “And no I do not use it. I just really think its a wise move, given our history with the plant.”

Mumbai police took two days to respond to Chopra, saying, “Sir, as a citizen of India, you are privileged to express your view on a public platform. Be mindful, as of now, consumption, possession and transportation of marijuana invites harsh punishment as per provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act,1985. Spread the Word.” Joint CP (law & order) Deven Bharti said, “Mumbai police is to enforce the law of the land. We run awareness campaigns against drugs so that no one falls prey to it. We have been and will be taking harsh action against drug suppliers and peddlers.”

Dr Altaf Patel, director of medicine at Jaslok Hospital and former professor, Grant Medical College (Byculla), said marijuana was milder and safer than alcohol. “There should be some control, but it’s safe to be legalized for medical and personal use,’’ he said. Dr Sripad Banavali, dean of academics, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, said the global marijuana movement was “fizzling out’’. Another senior doctor said there were better formulations for medical pain management than narcotics.

Over the last few years, there has been a movement across US to legalize the use of marijuana for medical and recreational use. In fact, 29 US states allow its medical use, while nine permit personal use. Fourteen European countries, Israel, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Panama, Mexico, Zambia and Zimbabwe allow its medical use.

The jury is still out on whether marijuana causes brain/ neurological changes. A recent study in American Journal of Drug Alcohol Abuse said regular users of marijuana showed a decrease in grey matter volume in parts of the brain.

(Additional reporting by Malathy Iyer)