Hullabaloo on Cannabis
Of late there has been a lot of hullabaloo with regard to legalising the cultivation of marijuana for medicinal use with the political class taking pot shots on the vexed narcotic issue.
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It speaks volumes that the file on the subject was vetted by the Law Department. It may be noteworthy to recall that the Ayush Ministry had pitched for the legalisation of marijuana way back in 2019 and presently the Raw Cannabis Tincture, CBD is marketed by AYUSH as a medicinal supplement for the management of chronic pain like arthritis and osteoporosis under doctors’ prescription following an online consultation. Canada, South Africa and the US have already legalised its use and the weed is also grown in some of our northern states. With this view in mind, as a proactive measure, the government had proposed to legalise its use for mitigating pain related ailments.
The genesis of the drug culture in Goa can be traced back to the arrival of Hippies in the 1960s when they first discovered virgin beaches and went high on LSD and other psychotropic drugs accompanied by sex orgies and psychedelic music. However, their visits were short-lived and were taken over by the domestic tourists with shoe-string budgets indulging in rave EDM music parties and going high on narcotic drugs.
Coming back to marijuana, the government will do well to review its decision of a blanket ban on cultivation of marijuana in the larger interest of society who are beset with chronic pain. The surplus weed cultivated could be given to the AYUSH Ministry for processing as a medicinal resource as the present rate charged by them for CBD tincture is exorbitantly high. This proactive step will go a long way in breaking the chain of the un(holy) nexus between the police-politician-drug peddler.
Everette Assis Telles, Margao
Covid-19 vaccine close to approval
Much awaited vaccine is close to being available. It is great news indeed. We will probably have a New Year with something in hand. Under this provision, companies are given permission to market the vaccine even if they haven’t furnished all the evidence normally required to establish the product’s safety and efficacy. As we look for a vaccine, the Central government has taken all the initiatives, conducted tests in a fool proof way and it is ready for distribution. We all wish that the world gets rid of Covid-19 in 2021 through all these concerted efforts. We are hopeful that the new year will bring good health upon everyone but still one needs to be cautious about the pandemic.
Massive preparations are underway in India for the launch of the world’s largest vaccination against Covid-19 drive. Medicines are on the cards but it is time to be cautious.
CK Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai
Use of drones by police
It may be recalled that during the lockdown period, Goa police used a drone surveillance system to monitor on lockdown violators in densely populated and slum areas in the State. This was done after police got to know that people were gathering in open areas but fled when the police reached there. After seeing drones in the area, people realised that police were keeping an eye on them and the violations then stopped.
In the wake of the pandemic these Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) were used in Delhi for carrying out surveillance, sanitisation and to reach out to people, minimising the risk of infection for medical and police personnel. Drones are ideal first responders and are faster than conventional vehicles. They happen to be a potent public tool. Drones can cover a large area easily and can be equipped with thermal sensors. This makes drones effective tools in search and rescue operations as well.
They can also be used by the law enforcing agency to collect evidence and conduct surveillance besides being used for crowd control, prevent traffic jams, track prison escapees, etc. It would be desirable for the Goa police to make the use of the drone surveillance system a regular feature in their fight against crime and tracking violators of various rules. Use of drones could also act as a deterrence to criminal activities.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Change your attitude to face pandemic
This has reference to the Edit ‘2021 will be better off if we make it so’ (Herald, Jan 1). Those were real reassuring words in the Editorial – 2021 will be better off if we make it so. The year 2020 was indeed a very disastrous year for all of mankind with millions of deaths around the world.
It is rightly stated, nothing will change merely by discarding a calendar and replacing it with a new one. It is with a change in attitude that we would be in a position to face up to this unprecedented pandemic.
No amount of force would help. We need to change ourselves from within in order to cope up with the situation.
Goa may be in a better position presently, as far as the pandemic is concerned, but the scenario across the country and the world does not seem to be good.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Centre responsible for farmers’ woes
Although the Centre and the farm unions opposed to the new agriculture laws narrowed their differences with the former agreeing to decriminalise stubble-burning and shelve the proposed electricity amendment bill, but the “core” issues — repeal of the laws and legal guarantee for higher MSP — raised by the unions remain unresolved. However, looking at their agreement on two issues it is hoped that the matter would come to end soon by the consideration of both sides.
People’s problems concerning to traffic, as well as farmers’ hardship by harsh cold season should be taken away as soon as possible. It is Centre that is the first responsible for it.
Noor Ahmad, Hyderabad
