Hemp is often referred to as bhang in India as no clear distinction had historically been made between low & high THC cannabis. Bhang (the intoxicant) is essentially a preparation made from the leaves of the plant and Ganja, Weed are terminologies used for the flowers/buds of the plant. In both cases it is the THC that gives us the high.

Bhang as you might be aware, is sold in legal government shops, however commercial cultivation of any cannabis variety is strictly prohibited in India as it is classified as a narcotic under the NDPS Act of 1985. Leaves and stalks (since they have lower concentration of THC) can be collected from wild cannabis in states where there are licensed Bhang shops with permissions from the government. Seeds of the plant however have 0% THC and are excluded from the NDPS Act of 1985 and can be collected from wild cannabis across the country. FSSAI has approved hempseeds (seeds either from marijuana or hemp are commonly referred to as Hempseeds as both have 0% THC) as a food and an ingredient in Nov’21 as they are highly nutritious and safe for consumption.

Research licenses for hemp cultivation have been provided to universities and institutions in states like Uttarakhand, Jammu, UP and commercial hemp cultivation will only be allowed once it is established that the yielding crop is within a specified THC limit. 

THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are both cannabinoids found in the flowers and leaves of Cannabis Sativa. Cannabinoids are any chemical substance that join the cannabinoid receptors in the human body. Humans ourselves synthesize endocannabinoids that connect to these receptors to maintain balance within our bodies. Cannabinoids derived from cannabis similarly perform several functions. Since these are relatively new findings, although there has been concrete evidence of cannabinoids having medicinal benefits, there is ample left yet to be discovered.

THC and CBD are well known as they are the 2 main cannabinoids present in cannabis and have been the subject of research recently. THC is of course known for its intoxicating effect while CBD is believed to provide relief from pain, anxiety and a host of other benefits. However, the cannabis plant produces around 100 different cannabinoids many of which can have huge potential medicinal benefits and yet have to be researched upon.

Hemp has low or minimal THC (0-3%) as that is how it is defined, but it does contain CBD. Infact Hemp with high CBD and other cannabinoids is classified as medicinal hemp and is grown in a different way to industrial hemp for maximum CBD or cannabinoid output. It is worth noting that THC also is being researched upon to explore its medicinal properties (both individually and when combined with other cannabinoids). Cannabis grown to maximize cannabinoid content including THC is often referred to as Medical Marijuana if it is to be used for medicinal purposes and Recreational Marijuana if it is consumed for recreational purposes.

When we say hemp is more sustainable it implies that the nutrition that we gain from hemp seeds and the strength and durability that we gain from hemp fibre, and the energy we gain from the hemp biomass comes at a much lower carbon footprint as compared to most alternatives out there in the world. This essentially is a result of hemp being one of the fastest CO₂ absorbers on this planet, that traps the carbon in the atmosphere into its seeds and stalks for us to use in various applications.

Hempseeds is a protein and nutrient dense plant based superfood which makes it much more sustainable than animal based sources. Cultivating hemp or even wild hemp uses up much less water than traditional crops like cotton and requires lesser use of pesticides. The roots of hemp also assist in phytoremediation of the soil by absorbing toxic and hazardous materials.

Cannabinoids are any chemical substance that join the cannabinoid receptors in the human body. Cannabis Sativa contains around 100 cannabinoids, including the well-known THC and CBD. Hemp does not contain or contains minimal THC, but does produce the rest of the cannabinoids (that how hemp is defined). Cannabis grown specifically to maximize cannabinoid production is referred to as medicinal cannabis or medicinal hemp as cannabinoids have proven to have positive impacts in treatment of diseases and on overall mental and physical health.

Humans ourselves synthesize endocannabinoids that connect to these receptors to maintain balance within our bodies. Cannabinoids derived from cannabis similarly perform several functions. Since these are relatively new findings, although there has been concrete evidence of cannabinoids having medicinal benefits, there is ample left yet to be discovered.

Studies have linked cannabinoid consumption, either in isolation or in combination with pain relief, cancer, autism and glaucoma treatment, weight loss and anxiety alleviation.

It is important to note, since high THC cannabis is prone to misuse, in a majority of countries, only hemp is permitted for cultivation for industrial use. Thus, speaking about industrial uses of cannabis is synonymous to speaking about industrial uses of hemp.

The stalk of industrial hemp is rich in cellulose and finds its application in a plethora of industries.

Bast fibres are the strongest natural fibres having high tensile strength and low elongation. They have the best ratio of heat capacity as their porous nature allows breathability and is naturally antimicrobial. They are used in making apparel, home interior, upholstery fabrics, blankets, curtains in the textile industry, environmental bio-composites in the automobile industry and also in making paper. The inner hurds can be used as a bio-fuel due its high carbon content, to make hempcrete for building non-toxic, mild dew, flame and pest resistant houses. Hurds are also used in paper manufacturing and animal bedding.