Encourage use of cannabis as alternative to liquor to prevent crime: BJP MLA

A Chhattisgarh BJP MLA has suggested that use of bhang and cannabis be encouraged as alternatives to liquor claiming people addicted to these substances hardly commit crimes like rape murder and dacoityThe statement made by legislator Dr Krishnamurti Bandhi on Saturday triggered a row with the ruling Congress questioning how a public representative can promote addictionChief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said if the MLA wants ganja to be legalised in the country then he should put forth the demand before the BJPled central governmentThe sale and consumption of cannabis is banned under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances NDPS Act while that of bhang an edible mixture made using leaves of the cannabis plant is permitted under law according to officialTo a query about the Congresss poll promise of liquor ban in Chhattisgarh Bandhi while talking to reporters in GaurelaPendraMarwahi district said We have earlier raised the issue in the state Assembly and it will again be raised on July 27 as discussion on the noconfidence motion moved by the opposition BJP against the state government is scheduled that dayIt is my personal opinion and once I had discussed it in the Assembly in the past I had told that somewhere alcohol is the reason for rape murder and quarrel but I asked in the House tell me whether a person who consumes bhang has ever committed rape murder and dacoity he saidTo meet the addiction requirement and to ban liquor a committee has been constituted in the state said the MLA from Masturi Assembly constituencyThe committee should think how we can move ahead towards bhang and ganja cannabis If people want addiction then they should be served such stuff which does not result in murder rape and other offences It is my personal opinion he saidAsked about the MLAs comments CM Baghel on Sunday said addiction in any form is not goodHe also took a dig at the BJP legislator saying if he wants ganja to be legalised in the country then he should make the demand with the CentreWhen central agencies are roaming in Mumbai to seize 10 gram ganja its BJP senior leader is saying ganja should be consumed Ganja is banned and he should first demand its government at the Centre to allow it if he wants its consumption See addiction in any form is not good the CM told reporters at the airport in Raipur after returning from DelhiCongresss Bilaspur district unit spokesperson Abhay Narayan Rai said how can Bandhi who is a threetime MLA and former state health minister give such a statement to promote addiction instead of suggesting ways to free society of itThe option to addiction cannot be addiction Such immature ideas are unacceptable in a civilised society Rai saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever