Analysis of the offenses under the NDPS Act, 1985
INTRODUCTION: Cannabis has been used in India for thousands of years and finds mention in many ancient scriptures for medicinal purposes and otherwise. Bhang, which is made using the leaves of the cannabis plant, has close ties to the worship of Shiva in Hinduism as well as the celebration of the festival Holi across India in the form of a drink called ‘thandai’. The sale and consumption of bhang is permitted under law in India due to the NDPS Act’s definition of cannabis. Unlike western countries India has a cultural connection of adapting certain natural forms of narcotic substances for celebrating some religious festivals. Thus, this cultural difference is an important aspect to be considered while framing and forcing any drugs laws in India. In1961, the international treaty,” Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs “classified cannabis as a hard drug. The Indian delegation opposed this because of the social and cultural use of cannabis in Ind...