Why is marijuana prohibited in Indonesia? And since When Ganja is banned in Aceh? Maybe this is the question that arises when we hear of illegal marijuana plants in Indonesia, especially Aceh Province.
Pic : Scoopwhoop
In 2016 A total of 13.2 tons of marijuana has been confiscated as evidence. The area of marijuana fields is found around 487 hectares, Aceh Besar is the largest marijuana producing center in Aceh, the Ganja fields found in Aceh are large, reaching more than 180 hectares (Source: Aceh Provincial Police).
pic : Junaidi Hanafiah
Overseas, marijuana is divided into two parts, namely marijuana for industrial and medical purposes ie Hemp type hemp, and illegal marijuana is often called Cannabis. While in Indonesia do not recognize this difference, as stated in Law Number 22 Year 1997 mentioned that marijuana is included as narcotics only and also Based on Law No.35 of 2009 on narcotics, marijuana belongs to a group that is completely prohibited to use, even for the sake of interest health services.
Since being banned under the UN convention through the Narcotics Act of 1976, cannabis plants began to be cultivated commercially in Indonesia. Its destruction efforts make rare and valuable marijuana in the international market.
The Indonesian government's response to the eradication of the top cannabis was to revise the 1976 Narcotics Law by aggravating the threat of punishment in 1997. Not only once, the threat of punishment in 1997 Narcotics Law was added to the 2009 Narcotics Law.
The Law of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia No. 22 1997 on narcotics classifies cannabis; seeds, fruit, straw, processed or part of cannabis plants including marijuana resin and the result as a first class drug which means a class with opium and cocaine.
Pic: Aceh Provincial Police
Article 82 paragraph 1 point a of the Act stipulates that importing, exporting, offering for sale, distributing, selling, buying, handing, receiving, intermediary in buying and selling or exchanging narcotics of Group I, shall be subject to capital punishment or life imprisonment, or a maximum imprisonment of twenty years and a maximum fine of one billion rupiah.
In general, cannabis addicts can be at risk of schizophrenia, namely the increase of symptoms such as paranoid, hear voices and see something that actually does not lead to mental disorders, such as depression, fear, panic, depression, confusion and hallucinations, pregnancy and fetal disorders. One of the reasons why marijuana became a forbidden plant in Indonesia is due to THC substances. if incorrect use of this substance can result in the user into a moment of intoxication (hallucinating).
The people of Aceh used to sell marijuana free in the market market, hung on the stalls, even in every house of the people of Aceh as a seasoning flavor of everyday cuisine. According to the history of Cannabis began to be banned since the Dutch colonial government, the Dutch company witnessed the youth of Aceh lazing around for smoking Ganja and this is considered detrimental to the Dutch economy at that time.
Humans have been using this plant for thousands of years, not only contains psychoactive substances, it also has strong fiber, high nutrients, and oil for renewable energy, proving that cannabis is a potentially diverse plant. Ancient Egyptians have described cannabis for treatment in papyrus manuscripts dating from 1550 BC.
Unfortunately, indonesian human memories of these potentials was undermined by the adoption of an international agreement signed in 1961. Cannabis sativa, along with coca (Erythroxylaceae) and opium (Papaver somniferum), were categorized as narcotics. Except for the benefit of science and treatment with strict supervision, the use of marijuana is prohibited in UN member states.
