India: Market and regulatory data analysis of the cannabis sector

21st October 2024: India: In Himachal Pradesh, a state in the north of the country, a pilot project has been launched to explore cannabis cultivation. This comes following the state assembly's expression of interest in legalising cannabis for medical and industrial purposes through the approval of a report advocating on the matter submitted by the revenue minister, Jagat Singh Negi. The project will be overseen by Palampur Agricultural University and Horticulture University Nauni in Solan. This initiative marks a significant step as more Indian states are beginning to consider the legalisation of cannabis for both medical and industrial purposes.
18th October 2024: India: The Punjab and Haryana High Court was told in a hearing on the issue of wild cannabis in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh that officials from these areas will join forces to address widespread cannabis growth. The committee includes specialists from the horticulture and agriculture departments and will focus on controlling the illicit cultivation of cannabis across the region.
2nd October 2024: India: A Delhi-based startup, Awshad, has identified anxiety, insomnia, and mental endurance as major factors driving the demand for CBD in the country. The founders believe there is a significant gap in the market for mental well-being solutions in India, which CBD products could potentially fill. CBD oil and other products are legal in India, as long as they are produced from approved industrial hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC.
2nd October 2024: India: Indian member of Parliament (MP) Afzal Ansari has questioned the legality of cannabis in the country, citing its role in religious rituals, which resulted in the police filing a First Information Report (FIR) against him for allegedly inciting public mischief. His remarks sparked criticism from Hindu groups, prompting the Samajwadi Party politician to clarify that his intent was to address issues related to drug use and smuggling in his local area, rather than advocating for cannabis legalisation.
9th September 2024: India: The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution to legalise cannabis in the state, following the recommendations of a special committee that endorsed its cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes. State revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi said a level of up to 0.3% THC would be allowed for industrial purposes, while medical cannabis would be grown under controlled conditions. The committee’s accepted recommendations include amending the Himachal Pradesh Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985 to permit, regulate and control the cultivation of cannabis plants, as well as production, possession, transport and interstate movement.
23rd February 2023: India: Chief parliamentary secretary Sunder Singh Thakur said yesterday that the state government of Himachal Pradesh was working to legalise the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes, press reports.
23rd November 2022: India: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) yesterday published a clarification, dated 10th November, informing Food Business Operators (FBO) that hemp seeds and their products are allowed on e-commerce websites – subject to FSSAI licensing – having been standardised in November 2021.
5th September 2022: India: The High Court of Bombay has ruled, in a case concerning the seizure of 48 kg of cannabis plants, that they did not qualify as illegal “ganja” within the meaning of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act as they did not include the flowering or fruiting tops of the plant. The court reportedly said: “It is implied that if seeds and leaves are accompanied by tops by way of flowering or fruiting then it would amount to ganja. But when the seeds and leaves are not accompanied by the tops then this will not be considered as ganja.”
15th March 2022: India: The central government has reportedly told Parliament that it does not intend to decriminalise personal consumption of cannabis, despite the recommendation last October by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act should be amended to decriminalise possession of small quantities of the substance.

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