The Asian Development Bank has proposed growing Indian hemp, which is part of the marijuana group of plants, as an alternative to Fiji's ailing sugar industry.
The Fiji Times quotes the ADB consultant, Indra Deo, as saying earnings from the hemp industry could exceed those from sugar if the plant is legalised in Fiji as has been done in some other countries.
He says the ADB research has indicated that growing Indian hemp for industrial purposes is better than relying on the sugar industry.
Prominent garment factory owners have supported the proposal because of the high quality of fabric produced from Indian hemp is very popular overseas.
But others have expressed concern because marijuana is already a major health problem in Fiji with 185 drug addicts admitted for treatment at the country's only psychiatric hospital last year and an average of 20 seen as outpateints every month.
