MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi’s demand for legalising soft drugs, including poppy husk, opium and marijuana, is gaining ground. Earlier, the idea was endorsed by a few scholars, including economist Dr SS Johl and former Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences Dr SS Gill. Three farmers’ organisations — BKU (Lakhowal), Khushal Kisan Welfare Society and Unnat Kissan Welfare Society — and some truck unions have held several public meetings in support of legalisation of these drugs. Dr Gandhi wants cultivation to be government-regulated. He said it could be started on village common land instead of farmers’ own land. (See also: Patiala MP urges farmers to disobey government to cultivate poppy)