Cannabis cultivation

The Himachal Pradesh government has approved a pilot project for cannabis cultivation, focusing on its agricultural, medicinal, and industrial applications.

• The pilot project for cannabis cultivation in Himachal Pradesh will commence on the campuses of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agriculture University in Palampur and Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture in Nauni, Solan.

About

• Scientific Name:Cannabis sativa
• Common Uses:Medicinal, Industrial (Hemp), and Recreational
• Main Chemical Compounds:
  • THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol):Psychoactive component
  • CBD (Cannabidiol):Non-psychoactive, medicinal benefits

Legal Status in India

• Regulated Under:Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985
• Allowed:Use of leaves and seeds for medicinal and industrial purposes (state-regulated)
• Prohibited:Production and sale of cannabis resin and flowers
• States Permitting Controlled Cultivation:
  • Uttarakhand (2018)– First Indian state to legalize industrial hemp
  • Madhya Pradesh (2019)– Approved for medicinal and industrial use
  • Himachal Pradesh (2025)– Approved pilot project for cannabis cultivation.