(THE GIST OF PIB) Cannabis Medicine Project

(July-2023)

Recently, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology said that Jammu is going to pioneer India's first Cannabis Medicine Project.

‘Cannabis Research Project’ of CSIR-IIIM Jammu is a first of its kind in India initiated under the leadership of Science & Technology Ministry in Private Public Partnership with a Canadian firm, which has a great potential to put substance of abuse for the good of mankind especially for patients suffering from neuropathies, cancer and epilepsy, malignancies.
This project of CSIR-IIIM is also important from the perspective of Atma- Nirbhar Bharat as it will be able to produce export quality drugs meant for different kinds of neuropathies, diabetic pains etc.
This project will explore the therapeutic properties of Cannabis, a plant which is otherwise prohibited and known for abuse.

Cannabis, weed, pot, and marijuana all refer to the same group of plants known for their relaxing and calming effects.
Cannabis contains at least 120 trusted Source active ingredients, or cannabinoids. The most abundant ones are cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Cannabidiol (CBD) - This is a psychoactive cannabinoid, yet it’s non-intoxicating and non-euphoric.
THC- This is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.

The central law that deals with cannabis is the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The NDPS Act prohibits the sale and production of cannabis resin and flowers, but the use of leaves and seeds of the cannabis plant is permitted.
However, different states have their own laws relating to the consumption, possession, sale or purchase of it.
States like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have started making the policy and rules for the use of Cannabis for scientific purposes.

It is the oldest scientific research institute in India with a history of discovering mint way back in 1960s, the centre of purple revolution and now the Cannabis Research Project.
It was first established as a research and production centre in 1941 but later taken over by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1957.
Mandate: To discover new drugs and therapeutic approaches from Natural Products, both of plant and microbial origin, enabled by biotechnology, to develop technologies, drugs and products of high value for the national and international markets.