Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) has been used for thousands of years in India, with its roots in Ayurveda. What makes us wonder is that if it was used so freely back then, what is the issue that occurs now?

Hemp was one of the earliest farmed fiber plants, with archaeological evidence of its use dating back to 10,000 BC in Northern China, originating from rope imprints on pottery.

As we know, Ayurveda dates back nearly 3000 years and elaborately identifies multiple aspects of the hemp plant for a variety of potential therapeutic purposes—known as the therapeutic plant, wonder plant, or sacred plant.

While hemp was used for paper and fibre more than for any other thing, today, in India, hemp is being used to make natural medicines, nutritional foods, and textile fibre.

The question that arises is, if the plant has been in use for decades now, what makes it a cause for controversy among countries and lawmakers?

When we think of hemp, we rarely think of Indian culture. The cannabis family is always referred to as a “western drug,” but we do have scientific proof to prove the same.
However, today, hemp is only permitted for medicinal purposes, as defined in the NDPS Act 1985: “medicinal cannabis,” or medicinal hemp, means any extract or tincture of cannabis (hemp). 

A quick summary from our previous blog:

One element that frequently continues to baffle consumers is whether the CBD in the goods is derived from hemp or cannabis. 

The quick explanation is that they are derived from several strains of the Cannabis sativa plant. 

“Marijuana” refers to cannabis containing more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. The THCHemp-India concentration varies between cannabis plants. Some strains are engineered to contain more THC than others.

Hemp can be grown for agricultural and industrial uses under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985. The state government, however, establishes the geographical restrictions for the issuance of licences for its cultivation pursuant to Section 10 of the Act.

Section 10 of the NDPS act states, (ii) the possession, transport, import inter-State, export inter-State, sale, purchase, consumption and use of opium; 

(iii) the cultivation of any cannabis plant, production, manufacture, possession, transport, import inter-State, export inter-State, sale, purchase consumption or use of cannabis (excluding charas). 

The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), which was introduced in 1985, establishes the laws governing cannabis and cannabis-related goods in India. 

In contrast to seeds and leaves, which are permitted, the Act expressly forbids the sale and manufacturing of cannabis flowers.

In other words, hemp is legal as long as the THC content is 0.3% or less than 0.3%.

Cannabis sativa, popularly known as industrial hemp, is a plant in the Cannabaceae family that is grown for its edible seeds or bast fiber.

Some people confuse hemp with the cannabis plants that are used to make the drugs hashish and marijuana. Hemp is a robust, fragrant, upright annual herb.

With the increase in demand day after day, Cannabidiol has now been termed the IT Medicine of the moment.

The fact is that in the last ten years contemporary consumers and some medical professionals have started to understand its potential advantages, particularly in the form of CBD.

Despite being a key ingredient in medicinal marijuana, CBD is either synthesized in a lab or is directly taken from the hemp plant.

The best part is that cannabis usage for recreational purposes is prohibited by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 (NDPS Act). However, the NDPS act does not apply to cannabis plants’ leaves or seeds.

In a thorough assessment released in 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that CBD has “been proven as an effective treatment for epilepsy.

 In the study, it is claimed that there is “preliminary evidence” that CBD may be beneficial for disorders like pain, anxiety, and depression as well as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, psychosis, multiple sclerosis, and diabetic complications. (read ahead).

Pet owners and family veterinarians are still curious about hemp/CBD for their pets for many reasons. 

Is the product going to be reliable? Will it suit their pets? Pros and cons, etc. 

Knowing the product first: Scientifically, Cannabidiol (CBD)  is a member of the cannabinoid family, a group of chemical compounds found naturally in the cannabis plant.

Cannabinoids interact with the human body’s endocannabinoid system, which aids in homeostasis maintenance. It is the same when it comes to working internally for pets.

The research is promising, but it is still in its early stages to come to a conclusion that is 110% assured. Like humans, it is obvious that every dog will also react differently to certain products, which is why it’s necessary to start with a low dose in the beginning, and then monitor your pet’s progress. 

To note: CBD oil somehow doesn’t constitute delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound identified in marijuana. A significant proportion of CBD products are derived from hemp rather than marijuana.

At times it is difficult to notice pets suffering when it comes to situations like anxiety or pain. (inevident scenarios).

The condition you’re intending to heal,  CBD could most likely take longer to treat some health issues than others. For instance – anxiety may respond to CBD oil in a half-hour or so, whereas joint pain or arthritis may take weeks to improve.

In recent years, several countries, including Canada and Uruguay, have legalized cannabis for recreational use, while others have decriminalized it or allowed its use for medicinal purposes.

The INCB, which is a United Nations body responsible for monitoring the implementation of international drug control treaties, has warned that these developments could undermine the international drug control system and lead to an increase in drug abuse and related harms.

The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which was adopted in 1961, aims to combat the abuse of drugs and ensure their availability for medical and scientific purposes.

The convention categorizes drugs into four schedules based on their potential for abuse and medical use. Cannabis is listed in Schedule I, which includes drugs that have a high potential for abuse, have no recognized medical use, and are particularly dangerous.

The INCB has emphasized that the legalization of cannabis for non-medical purposes is incompatible with the provisions of the Single Convention and could undermine the efforts of countries to prevent drug abuse and related harms.

The Board has also expressed its concern about the lack of scientific evidence on the long-term effects of cannabis use and the potential risks associated with it.

Moreover, the INCB has pointed out that the legal regulation of cannabis for non-medical purposes could lead to a significant increase in drug abuse and related harms, particularly among young people.

It has also warned that the production and distribution of cannabis in a legal market could be exploited by criminal organizations and undermine efforts to combat drug trafficking.

While some proponents of cannabis legalization argue that it can generate revenue for governments and reduce the harms associated with the illicit market, the INCB has stressed that such arguments do not outweigh the potential risks and the need to comply with international drug control treaties.