CBD in India: a potential market of nearly a billion adults
The perception of cannabis by Indians is evolving spectacularly as researchers, academicians and, probably, lobbying firms, multiply surveys, studies and awareness campaigns to twist the necks of preconceived ideas about cannabis. plant.
But the one that does the most good for cannabis in India is... the Ministry of Ayush, responsible for the development of education, research and promotion of traditional Indian medicine. The name Ayush is also a portmanteau word which brings together alternative health systems within the jurisdiction of the ministry, namely Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and homeopathy.
As in China, hemp has been part of the Indian pharmacopoeia since time immemorial, before falling into illegality due to its recreational use and the resulting trafficking. Today, the wave of non-psychotropic cannabinoids is spreading in India, and CBD represents its figurehead.
It must be said that the country of Gandhi has what it takes to attract investors in the sector, since it represents a market of nearly a billion adults, and therefore as many consumers potential cannabidiol oils, leaves and foods.
CBD, from the depths of Uttarakhand to national legalization
On social networks, online stores are springing up to offer, more or less unofficially, cannabis derivatives such as CBD, CBG and CBN, which do not alter cognitive functions and which relieve pain, stress and anxiety. Contrary to what the majority of Indians still think, and perhaps even some shop owners themselves, there is nothing illegal about this trade.It is explicitly authorized by the Ayush ministry.
Over the past two years, more than 50 startups specializing in medical cannabis and non-psychotropic consumer hemp have emerged, according to the Indian Hemp Association (PICHA), which represents legal cannabis companies in the country.
In 2018, Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to legalize the cultivation of Cannabis Indica and Cannabis L. Sativa hemp, quickly followed by Uttar Pradesh. Three years later, the Food Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) clarified that the sale of hemp seeds and derived products like CBD was regulated under the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.
Cannabis cultivation is also legal in some districts of Rajasthan, and in April 2023, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh announced that the state government plans to legalize cannabis production for stimulate the economy and trade.
According to the national daily The Print, Indians are increasingly open to the idea of using CBD oil to relieve pain, anxiety and sleep disorders , especially insomnia.
But there is one news item in particular that has put CBD into orbit in the country. We tell you.
The drama that benefited the CBD industry in India
Sushant Singh Rajput, popular Bollywood actor, committed suicide in June 2020. His death aroused immense emotion and triggered several investigations to determine the exact circumstances of the death.
Rhea Chakraborty, actress, presenter and the actor's girlfriend at the time, was accused by Rajput's family of exploiting him financially and being involved in his death.
Indian authorities, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), began investigating her and others in the film industry for allegations of drug possession and use. It was notably reported that the actress regularly consumed CBD with her companion, which guaranteed the product sudden and massive media coverage, but not in a good way. It took several debates, particularly on television, to explain that CBD was neither psychotropic nor addictive, and even less likely to cause death.
“The next two months saw the highest sales for the industry as a lot of people started talking about CBD,” says Delzaad Deolaliwala, co-founder and general counsel of Bombay Hemp Company (BOHECO). Narcotics agents met with BOHECO representatives to learn about CBD and non-psychotropic cannabinoids. “Before that, no minister, civil servant or authority wanted to hear about cannabis because they thought everything about the plant was bad and illegal,” he adds.
