This is about marijuana

1. Effect of marijuana
legislation on law
enforcement and crime
MUHAMMAD WAQAR YOUNUS 228
MUHAMMAD ANEES UR REHMAN 226 (GROUP 6)
MUHAMMAD NAUMAN YOUSAF 173

2. What is marijuana?
 Marijuana—also called weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane, bhang and a
vast number of other slang terms—is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers
of Cannabis sativa.
 It is also termed as cannabis

3. How is it used?
 Some people smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints, in pipes,
water pipes (sometimes called bongs), or in blunts (marijuana rolled in cigar
wraps).
 It is also used by grinding its leaves and mixed in water and is used in the form of
‘bhang’.

4.  The main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in marijuana, responsible for most
of the intoxicating effects that people seek, is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The chemical is found in resin produced by the leaves and buds primarily of the
female cannabis plant.

5. Cannabis/marijuana laws in Pakistan
 Is it legal in Pakistan?
 Can you possess and use cannabis in Pakistan?
 Can you sell cannabis in Pakistan?
 Can you grow cannabis in Pakistan?

6. Is marijuana(cannabis) legal in Pakistan?
 It is illegal to possess or supply cannabis in Pakistan, and individuals may face a
prison sentence if caught. However, cannabis and hashish production is
widespread, making Pakistan one of the largest cannabis producers in the
world.Though the country still hasn’t approved it for medical use.

7. Can you possess and use
marijuana/cannabis in Pakistan?
 Possession of cannabis is illegal in Pakistan. If you’re caught possessing or using
cannabis, you could be liable to a fine or prison sentence. Despite this fact, cannabis
use is relatively common in the country.
 The enforcement of the law varies considerably from region to region. In some parts of
Pakistan (particularly the tribal areas of the north-west, where there are significant
cannabis plantations), the laws aren’t frequently enforced. Indeed, some places even
sell cannabis publicly without persecution.
 Other parts of the country adopt a stricter approach. For example, if you’re caught with
cannabis in Islamabad, you may be sentenced to between six months and two years in
prison. Despite this, cannabis is (according to the Anti-Narcotics Force), the most
commonly used illegal drug in Pakistan.

8. Can you sell cannabis/marijuana in
Pakistan?
 The Control of Narcotic Substances Act states that it is illegal to sell or purchase
cannabis in Pakistan. (control of narcotic substance act (XXV of 1997))
 If found selling 100 grams or less of cannabis, you could be sentenced to up to
two years in prison. You may also be given a fine. If the amount of cannabis is
between 100 grams and a kilogram, the prison sentence increases to seven years
(with a fine too). If you’re caught selling over a kilogram, then you run the risk of
being imprisoned for life or given the death penalty. Additionally, you may be
fined up to one million rupees.

9.  The Anti-Narcotics Force usually adopt a four-stage approach.
1. Tracing – locating the sources, movement or ownership of the assets
2. Freezing – under an order made by the Special Court, removing, transferring or
disposing of the assets
3. Forfeiture – forfeiting the asset in favour of the Federal Government
4. Realisation – the assets are realised in favour of the Federal Government

10. Can you grow cannabis in Pakistan?
 The Control of Narcotic Substances Act states that “no one shall cultivate any
cannabis plant”. Flouting this law means the offender may be sentenced to
“imprisonment which may extend to seven years, or with a fine, or with both.”
 The Pakistan government permits the cultivation of “narcotic plants” for “medical,
scientific or industrial purposes”. This is only permissible when a licence has been
issued by the federal government or provincial government (with the federal
government’s authorisation).
 In reality, cannabis is grown widely across the country. Pakistan is one of the
world’s largest cannabis producers and the plant grows wild in many regions.

11. Can cannabis/marijuana seeds be sent to
Pakistan?
 At present, the law only mentions ‘cannabis’ as a catch-all term, and specifically
states that the seeds do not belong in this definition. This suggests that the seeds
themselves are not illegal. However, as the law isn’t entirely clear on this, caution is
recommended when ordering them from abroad.

12. Medicinal cannabis in Pakistan
 This may change in the future. Researchers from Shifa International Hospital and
Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University recently published a paper in the Pakistan Journal
of Neurological Science, highlighting the benefits of cannabis-derived products
for medical purposes.

13. Pakistan’s political parties and
cannabis/marijuana:
 Pakistan first banned drugs in the 1980s, under the rule of General Zia ul Haq. It’s
believed that he succumbed to pressure from President Reagan in the US, as part
of the country’s global ‘war on drugs’. Since then, most politicians have adopted
an anti-cannabis stance, with some suggesting that using the drug is against
Muslim doctrine.

14. The national Anti-Narcotics policy-2019
 The Constitution of Pakistan under Article 37(g) obligates the state to "prevent
prostitution, gambling, and taking of injurious drugs ... and advertisements".
Under Articles 90 and 99 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Rules of Business,
1973 provides the mandate and responsibility to the Ministry of Narcotics Control
to deal with matters related Narcotics. This includes Drug Supply Reduction, Drug
Demand Reduction and International Cooperation activities including related
issues of coordination and capacity building. The Control of Narcotic Substances
Act (1997),hereinafter referred to as CNSA 1997, defines the punishments and
imprisonment for drug use, abuse, smuggling and trafficking.

15. Role of Ministries in controlling abuse of
narcotics:
 Ministry of Narcotics Control
Assist in implementation of supply reduction strategies through LEAs(law
enforcement agencies)under its control
Assist in developing drug free cities in all the provinces
Assist in developing intelligence related to drug trafficking
Promote drug free culture in prisons

16. Ministry of Finance
 Monitor drug related assets and suspicious transactions through financial
monitoring units (FMU) and share information with ANF and IATF agencies
 The State Bank of Pakistan is the regulator of all banking sector in Pakistan along
with Financial Monitoring Unit established under AMLA 2010, both entities may be
part of National Anti Narcotic Policy 2019 implementation setup

17. Ministry of Human Rights
 Ensure human rights of drug users are upheld, and they are treated as victims and
not criminals
 Awareness raising through various activities and events on multiple fora

18. Ministry of Railways
 Facilitate drug free travelling on trains as part of the drug reduction strategy
through the Railways Police
 Train doctors and para-medical staff in the treatment of drug users in Railways
hospitals
 Encourage labour unions to promote drug free workplaces
 Liaise with IATF Secretariat for training of Railways Police from ANF Academy

19. Ministry of Education
 Develop curriculum against drug abuse
 Publish anti-drug messages in text books/note books for schools, colleges and
universities
 Develop a model drug-free education institute
 Promote extra-curricular sports and other activities through educational
institutions
Support university research and assessment studies on drug abuse
 Involve HEC and private school associations in implementing drug free
environment

20. Ministry of Interior
 Assist in reduction of drug trafficking through various LEAs under the
administrative control of MoI including Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan Coast
Guards
 Coordinate and collaboration on effective Border Management mechanisms