The Curious Case of India’s Cannabis Ban
Over the last few decades, we noticed how native Indian ideas and practices have been adopted the world over; Yoga, Ayurveda, and cannabis to name a few. And while Yoga and Ayurveda continue being widely practiced in our country, it is the ban on cannabis which calls for discussion. But for this, let us go back a few thousand years.
The Vedic texts, which were written during 2000 BC, are a source of information on the auspicious ways of Hindu life. These texts contain information on every topic in this universe, including cannabis (throughout this article the words cannabis, marijuana, and ganja shall be used interchangeably). The earliest record of the sacred status of cannabis in India comes from the Atharva Veda, also sometimes referred to as ‘The Knowledge of Magical Formulas’. The Vedic hymns, refer to the ancient traditions of achieving yogic bliss, and heavenly ecstasy using sacred plants that can alter the mind. Cannabis was considered as one of the five sacred plants that helped humans to attain delight, and lose fear. So how come a harmless plant, considered to have such a positive impact on the human mind become a banned substance?
Moving ahead a few centuries, during the colonial times a large scale study was commissioned by the British in the 1890s, who found ganja to be widely used among the Indian people. They felt it was driving the local people insane. The government of India, on instructions of the British government, appointed a commission to investigate aspects such as the cultivation of the plant, preparation and the trade of the output, impact of its consumption, and possible prohibition. After years of well-conducted research, it was considered that banning this would be unacceptable, given that its use is ancient, and has religious sanction among the Hindus.
So, if marijuana was widely propagated by the scriptures and even the atrocious and ruthless colonial powers could not implement its ban, then how did its use get banned in India? As in every other instance, enter the United States of America.
By the 1930s, America was widely using hemp in a variety of industries such as clothing, furniture, essential oils, to recreational purposes given that it was an inexpensive plant and was being grown in abundance. For industries involved in timber, and the upcoming synthetic and plastic products, along with the tobacco and liquor companies, this posed a problem. These powerful corporations, allegedly lobbied the media to propagate the evils of cannabis using the ‘Reefer Madness Hysteria Theory’.
What is the ‘Reefer Madness Hysteria Theory’? Reefer Madness was an anti-marijuana propaganda film that showcases how a group of high school students is lured into trying marijuana, which quickly escalates into a series of events — a hit-and-run accident to manslaughter, suicide, hallucinations, and a rapid descent into madness. This was one in a series of anti-marijuana films that furthered the public perception of marijuana as an evil drug.
During this propaganda, the US Congress subsequently passed the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 (Yes. It was referred to as Marihuana by the Mexican community who came into the US. Cannabis and immigrants were considered the same side of a coin by anti-drug campaigners). The passage of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively criminalized marijuana, limiting its possession to those who paid an excise tax to grow this for certain medicinal, and industrial purposes.
Subsequently during a UN convention in 1961, under US pressure, cannabis was categorized as a synthetic drug, similar to heroin and cocaine although it is a plant and a naturally occurring substance. Since cannabis was a key ingredient in the Indian Ayurvedic industry, India refused to sign it. However, by November 1985, the Indian government headed by Rajiv Gandhi under American pressure passed the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, banning the use and sale of marijuana. Possession, trade, transport, and consumption of Marijuana was now a criminal offense.
As of 2020, in the US recreational marijuana is legal in 11 states and medical marijuana in 22 states. This century-long battle of criminalizing it is nothing but a conspiracy, which can be traced back to the American multinational corporations working in hand with the governments of the past. It is alleged that as of today, American pharmaceutical companies in the US who use marijuana to manufacture painkillers, continue donating money to specific groups to maintain the negativity around marijuana so that they don’t suffer a loss. They can, therefore, continue selling these medicines at a higher cost as against cheaply available cannabis.
According to a February 2020 report by Grand View Research Inc., the global legal marijuana market is expected to reach USD 73.6 billion by 2027. Based on geography, North America held the largest revenue share as of 2019 with 88.4%.
Is India losing out on this booming industry? Yes. It is time the Indian Government revisits the NDPS Act, and take steps to begin the legalization of marijuana just like the 16+ countries who have started on this path.
Losing out to other countries on a multi-billion dollar industry of which we are the pioneers, and surrendered because of American capitalists and government propaganda? I don’t think so!
For now it’s ‘Boom Boom Shankar’…
