On January 24, the government of Himachal Pradesh, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, authorized a pilot project for cannabis farming in Himachal Pradesh. This decision aligns with the growing global recognition of hemp’s agricultural, medical, and industrial benefits.

The agriculture department has been designated as the nodal agency for the initiative by the state cabinet. Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture in Nauni, Solan, and Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agriculture University in Palampur will collaborate on a study to assess the viability of cannabis farming. Himachal Pradesh joins states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Manipur in permitting restricted cannabis cultivation for medical and industrial purposes.

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985 prohibited cannabis cultivation despite its natural presence throughout Himachal Pradesh. Unlike opium, its legal cultivation in India has lacked official regulations. However, cannabis farming was widespread before stricter regulations were imposed in 2000. Illegal cultivation continues in many districts despite the ban.

The Debate Over Cannabis: Economic Boon or Misunderstood Crop?

Former village chief recalled how authorities destroyed around 80% of cannabis crops in his village and neighboring areas in 2000, instilling widespread fear among farmers.

He argued that cannabis was unjustly associated with drug abuse, which devastated rural livelihoods. He emphasized its economic value beyond its psychotropic properties. According to the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Lucknow, cannabis is widely cultivated for its fiber, seeds, biomass, and dual-purpose crops.

With over 25,000 products available in the global cannabis market, the plant is gaining recognition for its industrial and medical applications. Countries such as Canada, the US, Japan, France, Italy, Hungary, China, Denmark, and Australia dominate cannabis cultivation and processing. According to NBRI, cannabis is a “trillion-dollar crop” containing over 100 cannabinoids, including the psychoactive THC and the non-psychoactive CBD.

Also Read: Amid Climate-Driven Disease Surge, Trump Initiates US Withdrawal From World Health Organization

Industrial Interests and Local Concerns

Local activists have long advocated for the revival of cannabis farming in Himachal Pradesh, but their efforts have largely been ignored. Although the state legislature passed proposals for legal cultivation, no substantial action followed.

Guman Singh, organizer of the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, suggested that business interests influenced the cabinet’s decision. He noted that until the mid-1990s, locally grown cannabis seeds, known as “Bijo,” were traditionally used for food and fiber. However, the growth of tourism contributed to an increase in recreational use.

Singh criticized the hypocrisy of European and American governments, which once pushed for cannabis bans in India but have since legalized its cultivation domestically. He called for cannabis to be legally recognized, with strict regulations on recreational use. Himachal Pradesh now faces the challenge of balancing historical, cultural, and social factors with economic benefits.

Also Read: Great Salt Lake Shrinking: New Study Quantifies Key Contributing Factors