Himachal Pradesh is known for its Mallana Cream but in a surprising turn of events, the government is all set to make cannabis legal in the state. In a significant announcement in Himachal Pradesh's annual budget speech, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the state government is coming up with policies to allow controlled cultivation of cannabis and hemp. The commercial cultivation of the plant will be for non-recreational purposes such as making medicines and fabrics.

Globally, cannabis products are increasingly being used for health and medicinal purposes but people also use the plant to make building material. In parts of Himachal, hemp had traditionally been used for making footwear, ropes, mats, and food items. The cannabis grown in the state is the best in the world.

Legislators in Himachal Pradesh have been advocating the use of hemp for years to strengthen the state's economy. With the already hard-hit tourism sector, the Himachal government is now heavily dependent on the Centre for funds. The state government now hopes to attract a growing hemp industry to generate employment and become economically self-reliant.

Cannabis and its derivatives are banned in India under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985. Cannabis is a generic name, according to the WHO, for a range of preparations of the cannabis sativa plant. Marijuana, a Mexican word, is a frequently used name for products made from Cannabis's leaves or other parts.

The NDPS Act strictly regulates the cannabis plant and its products. Charas is separately mentioned as a regulated substance under the law. Charas is a resin extracted from the cannabis plant. Hashish or hash is another name for charas. Cannabis oil or hashish oil is also regulated in India.

On December 2 last year, the United Nations Commission for Narcotic Drugs reclassified cannabis as a less dangerous drug. The decision removes it from the Schedule IV category, which lists addictive opioids like heroin. India was one of the 27 countries that voted in favour of the rescheduling.

Marijuana for medical use has exploded in recent years and products containing cannabis derivatives like cannabidiol or CBD, a nonintoxicating compound, have flooded the wellness industry. Cowen, an investment and financial services company, estimates that the CBD industry in the United States will be worth $16 billion by 2025.

Some research has suggested that CBD can protect the nervous system and provide relief from seizures, pain, anxiety and inflammation. The list of CBD-infused products -- including creams, serums, soda water and juice -- is also expanding rapidly.

Cannabis cultivation is done in a controlled manner in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh while Manipur, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are considering it.