Is Cannabis (Bhang) Cultivation in India Legal or Illegal? Know the Truth

Cannabis or Cannabis sativa was used in the Vedic period to prepare soma, which was an intoxicating ritual drink of that time. Atharvaveda mentions cannabis or bhang as one of the five sacred plants that provide relief from anxiety. Cannabis cultivation is done in various parts of India.  

But the question is: is it legal? 

The Center is still mulling over whether they should legalize cannabis cultivation. Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government, in 2019, had decided to legalize the cultivation of hemp or bhang. Uttarakhand has already done this.  

The Law Minister of Madhya Pradesh, PC Sharma, has clarified that it will be legal to grow hemp only for industrial and medicinal purposes. The then Chief Minister of MP, Kamal Nath, had allowed hemp farming. Hemp is a type of marijuana, which has medicinal uses. The Chief Minister had permitted hemp cultivation only for medicinal purposes, such as for the treatment of cancer.  

Charas, hash, or hashish usually comes from the Malana Valley of Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, which is famous for its Mallana Cream.  

In his annual budget speech in March this year, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jai Ram Thakur, had made a significant announcement that the state government will create a policy to permit controlled hemp or cannabis cultivation in the state.  

This implies that the state is thinking of legalizing commercial cannabis cultivation for medicinal purpose and for the purpose of making fabrics.  

Legal or not, consumption of cannabis or bhang is seen in many parts of India. We do not wish to dwell into the matter of whether one should consume bhang or not, as it is an individual choice, but we wish to ask people to be mature in the usage of such substances.  

Meanwhile, hopes are high with regard to legalizing the medicinal cultivation of cannabis in India.