Cannabis and Karachi

As the city becomes the second biggest consumer in the world


Editorial September 14, 2019

It is a sign of the increasing angst of living in a big city like Karachi — a city that occupies the fifth place in a list of 10 top unliveable cities in the world. Karachi is the second biggest consumer of cannabis in the world, it has emerged. The sale and consumption of the intoxication-causing weed is illegal in Pakistan, though. According to the ABCD 2018 Cannabis Price Index, Karachi comes second after New York (77.44 metric tonnes) in terms of consuming cannabis, including hashish, at 41.95 metric tonnes. New Delhi takes a close third place at 38.26 metric tonnes. Cannabis is popular in Amsterdam but the city does not even make it in the top 10.

Cannabis has been in use for medicinal and recreational purposes since ancient times in South Asia and other parts of the world. If taken in a moderate quantity, it is good for those suffering from insomnia as it induces sleep. If consumed immoderately, it causes serious dehydration. Like all other intoxicants, the weed’s consumption leads people to behave in strange and unreasonable ways. This is why it is illegal in Pakistan. However, in view of the weed’s use for medicinal purposes, there are government-licensed shops selling it.

Since the 1970s, the consumption of cannabis in Pakistan, especially by the youth, has been on the rise under the influence of Western pop culture. The demand for cannabis has increased because it’s low priced, so even the low-income groups can afford it. Other important cause of the increased consumption of the weed is obviously the growing economic difficulties facing the common people. When one naan (roti) is selling for Rs12 and prices of all basic necessaries are going through the roof and economic opportunities are shrinking, the hard-pressed common people find an easy refuge in cheap intoxicants. The state has a right to turn a blind eye to drug addictions. Admiral Nelson used to say, “Sometimes I have a right to turn a blind eye.” He was blinded in one eye  during a battle.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2019.

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