India to Launch First Cannabis-Based Medicinal Project in Jammu
Jammu: India is set to launch its first cannabis-based medicinal project in Jammu, Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced on Tuesday.
The project is being developed by CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) under a public-private partnership with a French company. The initiative aims to develop cannabis-based medicines for treating conditions such as cancer pain, diabetic neuropathy, and other serious illnesses.
According to the minister, the project has entered its third phase, where testing and trials are currently underway, with human clinical trials expected to begin next.
Singh said the initiative is a first-of-its-kind project in India and could help position the country in the global medical cannabis research sector while converting substances often linked to abuse into export-quality medicines.
The project has faced regulatory challenges due to cannabis being classified as a narcotic substance, requiring special permissions for cultivation and research.
The model developed by CSIR-IIIM Jammu is also expected to be replicated in other states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.
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