While some of those reasons – such as “why won’t the government let me have some fun”, or “what’s wrong with a harmless vice or addiction”, or that it was an essential part of “ancient Indian tradition” because a particular Hindu god is believed to be a heavy-duty user, are fatuous. In some cases, they do a disservice to the cause— the demands from certain sections of the medical community, especially oncologists and surgeons.

Meanwhile, in January this year, Pune-based lawyer Aditya Barthakur moved the Bombay High Court with a PIL, contending that the criminalisation of cannabis use by the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act violated citizens’ fundamental rights and other constitutional principles.

On September 4, the court dismissed the PIL, stating that it didn’t have the powers to grant the reliefs demanded. Significantly, the court also expressed its inability (due to lack of expertise) to deal with technical arguments such as the beneficial and therapeutic uses of ganja, and instead suggested that Parliament is best suited to take any decision in this matter.