The government in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh has approved a pilot study to assess the feasibility of cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes. This decision follows the state’s landmark resolution in September 2024, which amended its Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) rules to legalize controlled cannabis cultivation for non-recreational uses.
The initiative is to identify suitable cannabis strains, develop cultivation best practices, and explore the plant’s industrial and medicinal applications.
The foundation for the pilot study was laid last autumn when the Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed a resolution to regulate cannabis cultivation. The initiative explicitly excludes narcotic products and focuses on industrial hemp for fiber, grain, and seed production.
Farmers have options
The framework will allow hemp farmers to grow independently or through contract farming, while medical cannabis production will be closely monitored. Facilities cultivating medicinal cannabis will operate under 24-hour CCTV surveillance and be geo-tagged to prevent misuse.
The pilot project will develop standard operating procedures for cultivation, transportation, and manufacturing from hemp while ensuring compliance with the THC limit of 0.3% or less.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said investor interest in industrial hemp is strong, particularly for applications in textiles, bio-composites, pharmaceuticals, and eco-friendly construction materials. Negi emphasized the potential of cannabis to drive rural economic growth and attract investment.
Last year’s resolution also called for establishing a state agency to oversee cannabis production and creating seed banks in collaboration with agriculture and horticulture universities. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who chaired the legislative committee behind the resolution, said it visited all the districts of the state and explained to local residents how cannabis can be used for medicinal and industrial applications.
‘In favor of legalizing’
“We also studied the successful models in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh. The overwhelming consensus was in favor of legalizing it in Himachal Pradesh,” Negi said.
In addition to their potential in such massive global sectors as construction and textiles, hemp and hemp farming also promise environmental benefits, including soil improvement, reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers and lower carbon footprints, according to the legislative committee, which stressed that the initiative aligns with Himachal Pradesh’s goals of promoting sustainability and improving rural livelihoods.
Diverse agriculture
Nestled in the western Himalayas just below India’s northern tip, Himachal Pradesh boasts diverse climatic zones that facilitate cultivating a wide range of crops. These include grains, vegetables, and cash crops like ginger, garlic, and saffron. The state is also renowned for its medicinal and aromatic plants, such as hops, wild marigold, and various herbs.
While agriculture sustains over 60% of the state’s population, most farms are modest in size, with an average of less than one hectare of arable land.
The study announced last week will be spearheaded by two state universities, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University in Palampur, and the Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni. The state’s agriculture department is to deliver a detailed report within six months.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite its promise, the cannabis sector in India faces hurdles. The availability of quality
cannabis seeds is limited, and knowledge gaps persist regarding the development and marketing of hemp-based products. Consumer awareness is still evolving, requiring targeted education campaigns to build demand. Nonetheless, Himachal Pradesh’s diverse climatic zones and fertile land offer significant advantages for cannabis cultivation.
Uttarakhand, the first Indian state to legalize industrial hemp, has struggled to achieve its goals, partly due to weak market linkages and regulatory hurdles. The Himachal Pradesh government plans to address these issues by implementing strict oversight measures and leveraging its universities’ expertise.