Odisha’s cannabis conundrum: Mafias keep planting weed on unused govt land

Illegal cannabis cultivation has become a major problem in Odisha's remote and government-owned land, with mafia and other unscrupulous elements taking advantage of these inaccessible areas. As of the 2025-26 crop season, police have destroyed illicit cannabis crops on 36,508 acres across six districts: Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Boudh, and Gajapati. Of this, 6,632 acres were government or revenue land.

Revenue Department officials are urging district collectors to educate field-level workers in maintaining vigilant monitoring of the land where illegal cultivation has occurred or been destroyed. Collectors were asked to immediately report any new instances of illegal cannabis cultivation to the police or Special Task Force under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The state government has warned of harsh disciplinary or criminal action against any officials who cooperate with criminals or the mafia.

Cannabis cultivation is popular in Odisha's hinterlands due to the high profits it generates, around Rs 2,000-3,000 per kg compared to other legal crops. The remoteness of these areas makes detection and intervention by law enforcement difficult. Villagers are reportedly paid to grow the crop, while outside individuals often fund them and hide their identity.

Once part of Left-wing extremist strongholds, Kandhamal and Boudh have recently been declared Maoist-free. Experts believe that Maoist groups have profited significantly from cannabis cultivation, which has now become a key income source for them. Recently, Odisha's police destroyed over 108 metric tonnes of seized cannabis, valued at approximately Rs 544 crore, during a special drive in June-July.