Ganja Covers Only Flower or Fruit, Not Stem or Stalk: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court clarified that under Section 2(iii)(b) of the NDPS Act, 1985, the term ganja includes only the flower or fruit of the cannabis plant and excludes the stem or stalk.

The Court held that only these parts are relevant for determining commercial quantity. The clarification arose in appeals challenging convictions under the NDPS Act, where the appellants argued that the seized material did not meet the statutory definition.

The Court observed that since possession of ganja attracts severe penalties, law enforcement must ensure strict compliance with statutory essentials before prosecution.

[Ganesan v The State]