News:2016-01-16/Policy/calls-grow-for-laws-to-grow-ganja-for-medicinal-purposes

16 January 2016

Policy

Sri Lanka·

Calls grow for laws to grow ganja for medicinal purposes

Sri Lanka's Ayurveda Commissioner P.S.K.R. Weerakoon called on the government to legalize cannabis cultivation for medicinal use, as native medicine practitioners relied on cannabis seized in police raids and obtained through court orders. In 2015, approximately 350 kg from court seizures went to the department and 180 kg to private physicians and the Sri Lanka Ayurveda Drugs Corporation. The commissioner noted that cannabis received after prolonged court procedures was often decomposed and of diminished medicinal value. Cannabis is used in at least 16 Ayurvedic drug preparations including treatments for cancer, neurological disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis. The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board estimated approximately 500 hectares of land were under illicit cannabis cultivation nationwide. Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne supported allowing Ayurveda physicians to grow cannabis under strict conditions.

Source: https://www.sundaytimes.lk/160117/news/calls-grow-for-laws-to-grow-ganja-for-medicinal-purposes-179056.html

2016-01-16 Policy Calls grow for laws to grow ganja for medicinal purposes Sri Lanka's Ayurveda Commissioner P.S.K.R. Weerakoon called on the government to legalize cannabis cultivation for medicinal use, as native medicine practitioners relied on cannabis seized in police raids and obtained through court orders. In 2015, approximately 350 kg from court seizures went to the department and 180 kg to private physicians and the Sri Lanka Ayurveda Drugs Corporation. The commissioner noted that cannabis received after prolonged court procedures was often decomposed and of diminished medicinal value. Cannabis is used in at least 16 Ayurvedic drug preparations including treatments for cancer, neurological disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis. The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board estimated approximately 500 hectares of land were under illicit cannabis cultivation nationwide. Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne supported allowing Ayurveda physicians to grow cannabis under strict conditions. https://www.sundaytimes.lk/160117/news/calls-grow-for-laws-to-grow-ganja-for-medicinal-purposes-179056.html