Khushi Maheshwari and Pratham Maheshwari
Humanity continues to endure catastrophic environmental damage. 2023 was the warmest year on record by far and the Doomsday clock is set at just 90 seconds to midnight. In such dire circumstances, even a glimmering hope can prove to be a blessing. Indeed, hope can be found at the literal grassroots in the form of a surprising commodity - hemp - in the world’s most populous country, India.
Hemp’s value can be best realized in a country best suited to become a world leader in its wider proliferation: India. Hemp has 25,000 proven applications ranging from textiles to food. It also flourishes without a heavy reliance on pesticides and fertilizers, and overall is a relatively low maintenance, and therefore agriculturally cost-effective, crop. Hemp can yield 3-8 tones of fiber in a single acre, 4 times that of an average forest while producing 25 times more oxygen. It is also a carbon-negative crop that absorbs carbon dioxide from the environment, with each kilogram of hemp absorbing 1.8-2 kilograms of carbon dioxide. It requires less than half the amount of water required to produce cotton, and rather than absorbing nutrients from the soil, hemp returns 60-70% of nutrients to the soil, promoting its future fertility. Hemp is also blessed with a brief crop cycle of approximately 12 weeks. One of the strongest natural fibers, hemp textile fiber is known to be biodegradable, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, porous, durable, breathable, and comfortable, and can also help to regulate body temperature as it facilitates air to circulate around our skin when compared to other fabrics.
The global hemp fiber market is expected to reach 26 billion dollars by 2026 and the global medical hemp market is projected to exceed 82 billion dollars during the ensuing year. Capturing such a rapidly growing market and becoming a global leader in the industry could do wonders for India. Hemp production is greatly needed to address issues such as unemployment, water scarcity, and limited availability of land; in the latter case, hemp has been heralded as a pristine candidate to repair damaged Indian soil through the process of phytoremediation.
Moreover, the use of hemp has roots in Ayurveda, a school of Indian alternative medicine. In the counterpart school of Atharvaveda, hemp is considered one of the five most sacred plants. Hemp was widely used in ancient India due to its medicinal and nutritional value. It was also used in textiles and even as hempcrete to construct the famous Ellora Caves, which has prevented their degradation for 1500 years.
The regulation of hemp in India began during the colonial era when cannabis was restricted across British colonies. The Indian Hemp Drugs Commission (1894-1895) criminalized and suppressed cannabis cultivation and processing. Currently, hemp is regulated by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, of 1985, which was passed by the Rajiv Gandhi administration under the influence of the American Reagan administration for over two decades. The act legally defined hemp as cannabis due to the taxonomical origin of hemp flowers from the same family of plants as marijuana. This proved an impetus for taboos, myths, and misconceptions about hemp. Hemp, however, crucially lacks the psychoactive effects of marijuana when consumed. Marijuana arises from a female Sativa plant containing psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that is consumed for recreational purposes. Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC. Still, the narrative of suspicion persists in the minds of Indian consumers.
The peculiar intensity of the Indian taboo against hemp is evinced by the country’s seemingly contradictory relationship to bhang, a plant prepared from the seeds and leaves of the cannabis plant, which is legal in India. Regulated by some states, it is used as a form of medicine and also enjoyed in festivals. Its origins trace back thousands of years when Cannabis Indica was used to worship Lord Shiva. A plausible explanation is that bhang is shielded from disrepute by its holy connotations. In a country imbued with strongly held religious beliefs and a strong commitment by many to India’s unique and storied traditions, hemp has slipped through the cracks, its rich heritage tainted by a perception imported from colonizers.
COP 28 recognised significant Indian environmental achievements, including progress toward a 33% reduction in emissions and the achievement of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets 11 years ahead of schedule. India has also greatly expanded its electric grid capacity, sourcing 80% from non-petrocarbon resources. However, COP 28 had nary a whisper about hemp. India is a land of manufacturers and businessmen who can capitalise on hemp, advancing environmental targets, bringing attendant international renown to India, and thereby building a pivotal point for India by making it a sustainable land and potentially generating a trillion dollar market for the Indian economy.
Legalization could be a first, normative, and positive step. Stereotypes must be combated by educating communities and spreading awareness. With widespread cultivation, India would not only benefit from an environmental surplus but also achieve economies of scale. A rational approach to structural change must, in this case, start at the top. However, the relationship between social narratives and policymaking is frustratingly circular, requiring courageous effort to break the chain of stigma and suppression of a potentially vital industry.
