Policy push to position Himachal’s hemp as global medicinal resource
Will strictly maintain THC content below 0.3 percent
Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
In a landmark move to redefine the state’s economic landscape and achieve the vision of a self-reliant Himachal by 2027, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has spearheaded a transformative 'Green to Gold' initiative. This bold economic experiment aims to transition the state from a narrative of illicit trade to one of global leadership in the bio-economy by legalizing and regulating the cultivation of industrial hemp.
He said that for decades, cannabis has grown wild across the valleys of Kullu, Mandi, and Chamba, often marred by associations with the illegal drug trade, but henceforth it will be widely be acclaimed for its medicinal properties for pain management and inflammation besides its uses in textile and apparel industry, paper and packaging industry, Cosmetics and Personal Care Industry, Biofuel and Energy Industry etc. The present state government has identified this natural resource as a versatile industrial asset capable of producing high-value goods ranging from eco-friendly textiles to advanced bio-plastics. "With proper regulation and awareness, hemp can become a key driver of eco-friendly industrial development especially in hill and rural economies like Himachal Pradesh", said Sh. Sukhu.
He stated that a key pillar of this policy is the strict mandate ensuring that all industrial hemp cultivated in Himachal Pradesh maintains a Tetra Hydro Cannabinol (THC) content below 0.3 percent. This scientific threshold renders the plant non-intoxicating and entirely unsuitable for misuse as a drug, while preserving its superior properties for producing high-quality fiber and seeds.
Sukhu stated that following the Cabinet’s decision on 24th January, 2025 to clear a pilot project for controlled cultivation is on the anvil. He said that since the farmers were now backing up from cultivation of traditional crops due to the nuisance created by the wild life, monkeys, destroying crops with little left for the farmers to earn. This strategic shift is designed to replace the plant's "narcotic" image with a "resource" identity. Projections indicate that regulated cultivation could generate additional revenue of Rs. 1000 crore to more than Rs. 2,000 crore annually, once fully scaled. By providing a robust legal and scientific framework, the state intends to capture a market currently dominated by the black market and international imports, particularly for the burgeoning pharmaceutical and wellness industries.
Beyond fiscal gains, the 'Green to Gold' initiative offers a sustainable solution for Himachal’s agrarian community. Chief Minister stated that Industrial hemp is a climate-resilient crop that requires 50 percent less water than traditional fiber crops like cotton and thrives even in marginal soils where other crops struggle. To support this transition, premier institutions including CSK HPKV Palampur and Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, are leading pilot studies to develop high-yield, low-THC seed varieties tailored for the Himalayan climate.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, the Chairman of the state-level committee formed, along with MLA's as members, visited Doiwala in Uttrakhand and Madhya Pradesh to examine the legal, regulatory and practical aspects of controlled cannabis cultivation. The committee’s report, later tabled and accepted in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, recommended regulated cultivation for industrial, scientific and medicinal purposes.
''Hemp-Hub vision aims to position Himachal Pradesh as a manufacturing center for 'Hempcrete'- an innovative, carbon-negative construction material, as well as specialized textiles and Ayurvedic medicines. By fostering this new sector, the government is not only seeking to make Himachal the most prosperous state by 2032 but is also creating a new ecosystem for startups and youth employment" said Sh. Sukhu.
Reaffirming his commitment, the Chief Minister stated that the government was not promoting addiction but rather a modern industry, ensuring that the state's natural wealth benefits the local farmers and the public treasury rather than illicit networks.