Pratibimba 2019 Pratibimba 2019 | Page 24

k|ltlaDa Nature reflects our nature Every species of Cannabis is not harmful… Cannabis sativa, the first impression everyone is getting from this heading and these species is “Marijauna” or “Ganja”. Many of the readers have already made a mind that this article as a strong supporting article for the use of these narcotics. We still need to think twice before speaking about this species in the public as we fear of the judgment of the third person walking around. But are every species of Cannabis Sa- tiva family that harmful?? We are too good at generalizing things. In this practice of generalizing things, there is a spe- cies of C. sativa family that is stuck inside the government rules and regulation of getting banned, although it has a lot of positive impacts to provide to the society. The name of the spe- cies is Hemp, a species of family C. sativa that is banned here in Nepal as per government rules and regulations. Firstly, let us generally go through their distinc- tive features: Starting from the anatomy, Marijuana features broad leaves, dense buds and has a short, bushy appearance while Hemp features skin- ny leaves that are concentrated towards the top of the plant and grows taller and skinner than Marijauna, with few branches beneath the up- per portion. Talking about the composition, both of these contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that induc- es psychoactive effects (what we call getting high) and Cannabiodiol (CBD). But on compar- ing, Hemp contains only 0.3% of THC in con- trast to 15%-40% in Marijauna which is why Marijauna is used for recreational purpose and hemp for the industrial purposes. This is how we can differentiate hemp from Marijauna but what has hemp to offer to human day-to-day living for which it needs to be legal- ized in Nepal? As being a mountainous country, the quality of the hemp produced in Nepal is considered best of its type all around the world. There are a lot that hemp has to offer to us. Source:https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cGUUs08xTzh99YHvXSWaJR4midE- Some of the uses of the hemp are: Hemp Fibers: The fibers obtained from hemp generate best quality clothes and garments that have an increasing market day by day. Textiles: Hemp textiles are economically viable and also more durable than the cements and other textiles. Medicine: Different proven Medicine are extract- ed from the root of this species Oil/Flour/Bakery and Beer: The seed of this spe- cies can be used for the producing flour, oil also bakery items and beer. Fuel: Recently, it is also proven that fuel can be extracted from the seed of this plant . Thus, jumping under the conclusion, it is very important to impose governmental action on this species as this species has a lot to offer for the economical prosperity of developing country like Nepal. Controlled and regulated government pol- icy towards this species has a positive outcome that suppresses the so called negative part of Cannabis Sativa family. Raize Adhikari B.Sc. Environmental Science 4th Year (Batch-2015) Nature and Social Concern Society 24