Odisha Declares ‘Bhang’ as Intoxicant

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has officially declared ‘Bhang,’ a preparation made from the leaves or small stalks of the Indian Hemp Plant (Cannabis Sativa), as an intoxicant. This declaration was made through a notification issued by the Excise Department on Monday.

The notification states, “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (t) of section 2 of the Odisha Excise Act, 2008 (Odisha Act 10 of 2013), the State Government hereby declares ‘Bhang,’ which means a preparation from the leaves, or small stalks of the Indian Hemp Plant (Cannabis Sativa), which is smoked, chewed, eaten, or infused and drunk, which has the potential of producing symptoms of grandiosity, excitement, hostility, disorientation, hallucinations, and thought disorder, as an intoxicant.”

This decision by the state government aims to regulate the use and distribution of Bhang due to its psychoactive effects, which can lead to various symptoms such as hallucinations and thought disorders. By classifying it as an intoxicant under the Odisha Excise Act, the government seeks to control its consumption and address potential public health and safety concerns.