The connection between Marijuana and Indian civilization is long and deep-rooted. With the trace of cannabis tracked as early as 2000 BCE, this herb has both religious and medicinal significance for the Indians. As one of the five sacred plants, different medicinal use of marijuana can be traced in the Atharvaveda and Sushruta Samhita. Although of great historical significance, the journey of cannabis or marijuana in India is complicated or rather controversial. Today, the trade and recreational consumption of the herb are strictly prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985. However, marijuana has received a newfound interest in the medical community, owing to its medical benefits.
A Developing Ecosystem Recent studies conducted across the globe have revealed that cannabidiol (CBD), an active ingredient found in marijuana, is effective for treating conditions such as chronic pain, glaucoma, and seizures. The chemical can also prevent the spread of cancer and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. These recent findings had a massive effect on the healthcare ecosystem of India. Starting from Ayurveda to streamlined pharma players are exploring its potential in the market. The country has also witnessed the development of multiple startups, that are exclusively working in the CBD domain. In fact, in Feb 2020, India inaugurated its first cannabis clinic — Vedi Wellness Centre in Bengaluru.
Dr. Reddy, a major contributor to the Indian pharma Industry, and a dominant exporter of medicines are also taking a proactive stance. According to reports, the organization has acquired Nimbus Health, a privately owned, licensed pharmaceutical wholesaler focusing on medical cannabis. The company stated, “the acquisition will allow us to build on Nimbus Health's strengths and introduce medical cannabis-based medicines as a promising treatment option for patients.”
The Dark Side No doubt, the potential use of marijuana is a major talk point in the healthcare industry today. In fact, the world along with India is playing hard to streamline the application of CBD for treating certain criticalities like – anxiety, chronic pains, etc. However, it goes without saying that Medical marijuana has an ugly side that is sparking skepticism in the mind of users. You see, cannabis is a complex plant that contains near about 421 chemicals, with at least two active ingredients — Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol(CBD).
Although CBD or cannabidiol has multiple physical and mental health benefits, THC, on the other hand, is responsible for intoxication. THC has multiple harmful effects and leaves both short-term effects and long-term on the body. For instance, when consuming THC a person can experience issues like — Short-term memory problems, Severe anxiety, Hallucinations, etc. Whereas in the long term, things like – Decline in IQ, Addiction, and Potential development of opiate abuse, can be noted. In medical marijuana, companies tend to separate CBD from THC and market it as a THC-free product. However, in reality, multiple studies have found that there is no way to fully separate the THC from the CBD in extracts from hemp.
Looking at Side Effects There are multiple health problems that a consumer might subscribe to when opting for medical marijuana. Although the side effects can vary significantly in each person and may be more apparent with higher THC contamination. Starting serious health issues like — memory problems, Schizophrenia, Heightened Risk of Depression, Decline in IQ, Addiction, and more. A consumer might also experience lighter side effects like — Paranoia or anxiety, Dry mouth, Insomnia, and Balance issues. That being said the chances of experiencing serious side effects are significantly low and most of the side effects associated with medical marijuana are mild.
Huge Potential Globally, the medical marijuana market is experiencing increasing growth with the market poised to touch USD $146.4 billion by the end of 2025. Owing to the surging market, medicinal cannabis has been made legal in a number of geographies like — North America, Africa, Australia, Europe, and South America. India is a sleeping giant when it comes to the hemp industry. With massive production trends across different areas, the country is expected to lead the medical cannabis domain in the coming future. A positive stance from different legislative bodies and state government can also be noted.
For example, in 2018, Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to legalize the commercial production of hemp crops, which was followed by Madhya Pradesh. Having said that, the government of India in a match with the apex bodies like AYUSH, CDSCO, needs to set tight regulations for ensuring the quality, credibility, and authenticity of the marketed drugs.
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