A scholar conducting research on cannabis and promoting it through social media was arrested by the Lunugamvehera Police while conducting an exhibition of products made with cannabis at a rented house in Ranavanawa, Lunugamwehera on Saturday.
It has been revealed in the investigation that this exhibition had been organized by him to coincide with the International Cannabis Day (April 20). Police said that beverages and products produced with cannabis in some countries of the world were on display at the exhibition.
The Police said among them were four canned drinks produced in America, several bottles of wine containing cannabis produced in Australia, an energy drink containing cannabis produced in the Netherlands, and an iced tea drink containing cannabis produced in Switzerland.
In addition, more than 250 cannabis-related products, including textiles, ornaments, underwear, luggage bags, perfumes, and cosmetics, were on display, Police said.
This fifty-year-old researcher is a resident of Gampaha lhala Yagoda. Photographs taken from 2021, together with several farmers growing cannabis with him, were also displayed.
Also research information on cannabis as well as books and articles were at the exhibition.
However, the Lunugamwehera Police OIC said that since the law prohibits the cultivation, possession and promotion of cannabis, the professor was arrested.
The suspect was to be produced before the Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court.
Amila Sampath Palliyaguru and K.D. Devapriya