8 Reasons Students Should Stay Away from Ganja: Health, Law & Future Risks

Consuming ganja may seem like a fun activity when someone is young. However, all students must avoid consuming such a substance due to the serious health risks. It may lead to academic failure, career damage, and long-term mental health issues, and on top of everything, there is strict drug case punishment in India.

The use of ganja has become an increasing concern among students in India. Somewhere between 6.8%-36% college students in India consume cannabis, unaware of the ganja side effects. They fail to understand how the substance affects one’s academic performance and cognitive abilities.

The reason behind consuming such substances varies from peer pressure to stress, while some believe ganja and other substances are easily procurable. However, getting your way out of using the substance isn’t as easy as getting addicted to it.

Given the rising concerns related to ganja, the Indian government has introduced many measures that focus on controlling the usage of the substance. This is why Indian law enforcement agencies have increased vigilance, leading to a surge in arrests for ganja cases in India and large-scale seizures of ganja under the NDPS Act of 1985.

However, this isn’t the only reason why students must stay away from consuming ganja. This blog of ours focuses on all the factors that give enough reasons for one to avoid the use of the substance.

Reasons for Students to Avoid Using Ganja

The use of substances like ganja is highly restricted, especially for students. Some of the reasons responsible for this are:

Reason 1: Ganja Is Banned in India

When proceeding to use ganja, most people search for “Is ganja legal in India?, Is weed legal in India?, or Is ganja banned in India?” Well, to put it in simple words, ganja is definitely not legal in India. Possession, sale, cultivation, and even transport of the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant are strictly prohibited under the central law, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

However, it is mainly ganja, which is the flowering or fruiting tops, and charas, which is the resin, that are classified as illegal narcotic drugs with severe penalties. But bhang, which is an edible preparation made from the leaves and seeds of the cannabis plant, is excluded from the NDPS Act’s definition of “cannabis”.

So, bhang is generally permitted, but its sale is regulated by individual state governments. For instance, states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have licensed bhang shops, especially around festivals like Holi.

However, students must focus on the fact that possession, sale, and cultivation of ganja is illegal as the substance is banned. So, they must understand the legal consequences of ganja and stay away from its use to avoid facing drug case punishment in India.

Table: Legal Status of Ganja in India

Table: Legal Status of Ganja in India

Reason 2: Severe Punishment for Ganja in India

The Indian law system treats substance abuse like that of ganja very seriously. This is why the punishment for ganja in India is severe and strictly enforced under the NDPS Act, 1985.

The penalty system is entirely dependent on the quantity of substance involved. So, it is categorised into small, intermediate, and large quantities. The punishment for each look something like this:

• For a small quantity (100 grams or less), the punishment is 6 months' jail or a Rs 10,000 penalty.
• For an intermediate quantity (100 grams to 1 kg), the punishment is imprisonment for up to 10 years and a possible fine of Rs. 1 lakh.
• For a large quantity (1 to 20 kgs), the punishment is imprisonment for 10 to 20 years and a fine ranging between Rs. 1 to 2 lakhs.
• For a commercial quantity (20 kg+), the punishment is imprisonment for 10 to 20 years and a fine that ranges between Rs. 1 to 2 lakhs.

So, it is easy to understand that if a student proceeds to use ganja and gets faced with ganja case punishment in India, then their name will be permanently added to the police record. After that, they will have to deal with court appearances, legal expenses, and other things that will impact their future.

Reason 3: Drug Case Punishment Can Ruin Academic Life

Drug case punishments can severely impact a student’s academic life, ruining their overall life because of it. Universities tend to have strict codes of conduct and zero-tolerance policies regarding illegal substances. This means a drug offence is more than just misconduct, but a serious disciplinary matter that is separate from criminal charges.

Universities often report drug cases to authorities, but it doesn’t stop there. They suspend or expel the student/s from the college, take away their financial aid, and create several difficulties in the path of future admission.

On top of that, when employers proceed to do background checks on a potential employee, they tend to contact their colleges and universities. Well, a criminal record, acquired from the authorities, limits their job prospects, making it tough for the student to get ahead in life.

Reason 4: Serious Ganja Side Effects on Brain & Memory

Consuming ganja may appear harmless. However, the substance comes with serious side effects, especially on the brain and memory.

Short-term ganja side effects include anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and reduced concentration due to slowed information processing and difficulty focusing. This is due to the psychoactive compound THC, which can cause immediate and short-lasting effects on the brain function.

On the other hand, the long-term ganja side effects caused by chronic and heavy use of cannabis start during adolescence. The effects include serious issues like memory loss, reduced IQ in young users, increased risk of depression, and a series of other mental health issues.

This, in the end, increases the risks of accidents due to impaired decision-making under the influence of ganja. Thus, it also increases the likelihood of crimes and violence, and ultimately of ganja case punishment in India.

Reason 5: Addiction Risk Is Higher in Students

The risk of ganja addiction is way higher in students than in any other group, and there is scientific evidence to support the claim.

Studies show that developing brains are more vulnerable as they are still maturing, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for making decisions, impulse control, and assessing risk. So, using substances of this sort during this phase alters brain maturation and affects the functions.

On top of that, ganja also creates a sense of psychological dependence as the brain releases high levels of dopamine in response to drugs. Over time, students get into a cycle of dependence and compulsive drug-seeking behavior.

Reason 6: Police Records Affect Career & Jobs

Once a student is convicted for using or possessing drugs like ganja, their name permanently gets added to the police records. Drug case punishment or even pending charges in India appear during police verification, which is often a crucial part for getting jobs, and even a visa.

These cases impact your eligibility, making it hard to get suitable jobs. It comes in the way of getting government and corporate jobs, impacting the entire course of your life.

Reason 7: Legal Stress & Family Impact

Getting convicted for ganja substance abuse and facing punishment for ganja in India puts a lot of emotional and financial strain on both the student and their family. The process includes one doing rounds of the court and the lawyer’s office, meaning they will have to keep paying hefty lawyer fees for a long time.

However, it is not just the financial burden; the situation comes with a lot of emotional pressure on parents as they have to face social stigma. From isolation, discrimination, and ostracism to the psychological toll related to the matter, all of this leads to anxiety, stress, and even depression.

Reason 8: Better Alternatives Exist for Stress Relief

Navigating student life can involve a lot of stress. However, using ganja is not the only way of tackling the matter. There are other evidence-backed alternatives like playing sports, indulging in fitness activities, meditation, and even yoga that help with stress-reduction.

On top of that, students can also take the help of counselling and student support programs to deal with the added stress they are under. These ways are healthy and do not come with any health side effects, similar to ganja.

In Summation

The allure of using ganja as a student or at a young age is real. However, this creates a domino effect that damages one’s health, career, future, and even position in society. This is why one needs to choose health and understand the health impacts, like ganja side effects and the legal impacts of the substance. Besides that, they can also make an informed and responsible choice by opting for healthy alternatives for stress reduction.

Need Help Tackling Ganja Addiction?

Reach out to our experts for tackling ganja side effects and fighting addiction. Choose health and live a better life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ganja addiction be tackled at home?

No, tackling ganja demands professional assistance. So, it is essential to take help from a certified wellness centre. This will help in drug case punishment and make it easier to recover.

Is there a legal age for possessing ganja in India?

No, there isn’t. Possessing ganja is an offence, so irrespective of how old one is, they should not possess the substance.

What does drug abuse counselling for ganja look like?

Drug abuse counselling for ganja involves the assistance of a specialised rehab. There you will be treated through different mental and physical activities to cope with the withdrawal symptoms of the substance, staying away from ganja side effects.