Hemp, popularly called the marijuana plant, grows all over the country, especially in the northern states of India. Unlike any other country, we can produce it all over the country in all seasons. While hemp has been a constant in Indian culture, it can only be used in exceptional cases, according to Dr. Dixa Bhavsar, an Ayurvedic practitioner.
The business flourished during the lockdown, says Jayanti Bhattacharya, co-founder of India Hemp & Co., in Bangalore. The state government of Uttarakhand also granted a license to the Industrial Hemp Association of India (IIHA) to establish and operate its non-profit organization. New food safety regulations related to hemp will improve its reputation in India, according to market analysis firm GlobalData, although the company has warned that progress will slow if the rules make it difficult to educate consumers about hemp. Sequeira wants to create a “center dedicated to hemp” that has a cafeteria, herbal teas and a four-course meal, as well as a massage spa.
Bombay Hemp Company is one of the country's leading companies that is at the forefront of the hemp revolution and has a wide range of brands under its umbrella, including a fashion brand, wellness products, hemp fabrics and nutritional products. Regulated industrial hemp plants in India mainly contain CBD and their extracts usually contain less than 0.3% THC, which does not produce a “high”. But the questions he faces most often are whether the products do not contain preservatives, where they come from, and if people can grow hemp at home. The Center gives the State the power to adopt its own policy on cannabis for industrial or medical purposes, says Rohit Kamath, co-founder and director of India Hemp Organics.
Most of the products are sold online, although some are also available in stores, such as BOHECO, in Bangalore, and Saukhyam, in Porvorim (Goa), where 26% products from India's Hemp Co are sold. However, the government ban on hemp cultivation, the absence of regulations, and the lack of knowledge of the herb among urban Indians have hampered market growth so far. Hemp has become an Indian crop and I strongly believe that with the times ahead and the right scientific evidence people will find out about it. Yash Kotak, co-founder and marketing director of Bombay Hemp Company, explains: “Hemp is an extremely versatile crop, with more than 25,000 proven uses in a multitude of industries.
Since Vedi Herbals has been granted an all-India license, it remains to be seen how this would pave the way for the expansion of the hemp market in India. Manufacturers strive to raise consumer awareness of hemp by projecting it as a “superfood” rich in amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are essential for good health and strong immunity. While the direct benefits of growing hemp will extend to poor farmers, who would otherwise have to spend an enormous amount of money to grow it on time, the agricultural sector's share of GDP will also see an increase. The Sante Spa Cuisine, in Khar, offers zucchini zoodles with hemp pesto and braised kale salad with roasted hemp seeds.
