Cannabliss: Why CBD Oil Is India's Latest Wellness Obsession

Shashi Singh (name changed), a 58-year-old Kanpur resident, was worried and anxious. She had not been sleeping well over the last few months, barely resting for two to three hours every night. When Shashi told her daughter about it, the latter quickly ordered her "sleep management¡± CBD oil after consulting with a doctor.

Shashi, who had never consumed marijuana in her life and was mostly averse to the idea, was hesitant at first. But her worsening condition convinced her to take three drops of CBD oil twice a day with her favourite beverage.

Two days later, she was sleeping better, and her anxiety had also dialled down. She said she felt lighter and that the stress that was overwhelming her was slowly occupying less space in her mind. Now, she and her husband consume the oil on a regular basis.

Shashi is among the beneficiaries of cannabidiol, or CBD, in a market that aims to alleviate stress, anxiety, and regulate sleep via an ¡°alternative¡± approach. In recent years, India has witnessed a remarkable shift in public perception of marijuana-based products, particularly CBD oil.

Traditionally, India has had a complex relationship with cannabis, which is deeply rooted in our culture and history. References to its medicinal and spiritual powers date back to ancient texts like the Atharva Veda and the Ayurveda. While ascetics smoke hash (charas), which is associated with Hindu god Shiva, and bhaang is freely consumed during Holi, most Indians oppose smoking marijuana and consider it criminal.

Remember the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, which resulted in a public outcry against the consumption of marijuana? In 1985, India passed the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act as part of the global ¡°War on Drugs,¡± which imposed strict regulations on cannabis¡¯ use, sale, and possession.

This meant that cannabis, including its non-psychoactive component CBD, came to be stigmatised. But maybe this conflicting attitude is a thing of the past. A growing number of Indians are focusing on the medicinal properties of marijuana, particularly for lifestyle-related stresses.

Changing Attitudes Towards CBD Oil

The global acceptance of CBD and the legalisation of cannabis in several countries, including Canada and parts of the United States, have contributed to a more positive outlook on cannabis in India. CBD has also shown promise as a treatment for some mental health disorders, such as depression and even psychosis. According to recent research, CBD may be effective in treating PTSD-related symptoms, reducing cancer-related symptoms, and improving symptoms of other neurological conditions, such as Parkinson¡¯s disease, Huntington¡¯s disease, and motor disorders like cerebral palsy.

As India witnesses a surge of interest in ¡°holistic health¡± and wellness practices, CBD oil fits right in and is often marketed as a natural remedy. One such company is BOHECO (short for Bombay Hemp Company), a homegrown industrial hemp and medical cannabis brand that manufactures everything from hemp creams and seeds to shampoos and menstrual pain management products. Yash Kotak, co-founder and CMO of BOHECO, agrees that there is a shift in consumer perception. ¡°As someone deeply involved in the hemp business for over a decade now, I¡¯ve observed a broader demographic embracing hemp as awareness grows. Word-of-mouth is spreading as the medicines are doing wonders to improve one¡¯s quality of life,¡± he said.

In certain Indian states, there have also been discussions to decriminalise or legalise cannabis for medical and industrial purposes. For instance, in 2018, Uttarakhand achieved the distinction of becoming the pioneer Indian state to legalise industrial hemp cultivation, a move subsequently embraced by Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, certain districts in Rajasthan permit cannabis cultivation, and in April 2023, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh announced intentions to legalise cannabis production as a means to stimulate economic growth and trade.

How Medical Marijuana Helps Alleviate Stress

Shashi is not the only one to embrace CBD oil, despite having had strong views against marijuana for decades. Sixty-five-year-old Delhi residents Poonam Sinha and her husband Ashish (both names changed) have been using CBD oil for years to alleviate stress and irregular sleep. The couple had been dealing with business-related stresses and anxiety for years, which consequently took a toll on their mental and physical well-being. After trying a slew of anxiety medicines, they felt that the medicines were addictive.

Their 35-year-old son ordered ¡°pain management¡± and ¡°sleep management¡± CBD oil from Ananta Hemp Works after a brief consultation with their doctor on call. Sinha claims that both her sleep and stress are much better now. ¡°It¡¯s a miracle product. People should shed their inhibitions around marijuana-related products and give them a try,¡± she said.

Positive experiences with CBD oil pervade social media. Personal testimonials and online communities have contributed to the popularity of CBD oil. While this remains anecdotal evidence, which should be treated with a pinch of salt, these stories have certainly helped generate interest in CBD.

In the aftermath of COVID, Meera (33), a resident of Delhi, was suffering from anxiety. The burden doubled after she was laid off by the company she had been working at for over five years. ¡°I was very hesitant at first [to try CBD oil], even though I have smoked marijuana during my college days,¡± she said. The product, according to Meera, worked wonders. ¡°My brain felt more focused, and any body aches that I had due to stress slowly vanished. I sleep like a rock.¡±

The Role Of Education And Awareness

One crucial aspect of the changing attitude towards CBD oil in India is the increased education and awareness surrounding its use. Various organisations and individuals are working to disseminate accurate information about CBD, its benefits, and its legal status.

Additionally, some Ayurvedic healthcare professionals have become more open to discussing CBD as a complementary or alternative therapy for mental health issues. Many websites selling CBD oil in India have doctors available on call to guide patients and recommend the right dosage. Dr. Piyush Juneja, an Ayurvedic medical practitioner based in Delhi (NCR), is glad that there¡¯s so much awareness around CBD. ¡°The human endocannabinoid system regulates several bodily functions such as sleep, mood, appetite, learning, memory, body temperature, pain, immune functions, and fertility. When taken orally as a plant-based cannabidiol, they work together to heal the body.¡±

The future of CBD in India is still unfolding, and several possibilities lie ahead. According to the NDPS Act, the production and sale of the flower and resin of the cannabis plant are illegal, but not that of the leaves, seeds, and stems. But companies like BOHECO are bullish about the market. Kotak told me that ¡°there exists an ?1,200 crore untapped market size and opportunity for around 1.25 million customers.¡±

Cannabis lies at the intersection of the traditional and the modern. As the market expands and people continue to become more accepting of cannabis products, India, with its growing population and rich history of cannabis cultivation, has the potential to become the largest market for cannabis products.