Ayurvedic or medical cannabis in India is gaining popularity. An increasing number of people are thinking of adopting plant-based remedies for their many worries and woes. But the information about cannabis is so scattered that it can get confusing.
Users are unable to find reliable information about ayurvedic/medical cannabis on a single platform. This often leads to confusion, angst, and inhibitions.
To make it easier for you to adopt a cannabis-based lifestyle, we have collated a list of the most frequently asked questions about ayurvedic and medical cannabis in India.
What is medical cannabis?
Medical cannabis refers to the use of one or more chemical compounds present in the cannabis plant to treat or manage a medical condition in the human body. Cannabis compounds have therapeutic properties and can provide relief from stress, anxiety, pain, psychological and inflammatory illnesses, sexual dysfunctions, and neurological disorders, etc.
Is Medical Cannabis legal in India?
Cannabis is a Schedule-E1 drug in India. It is regulated by the Ministry of AYUSH and the Excise Department. Cannabis-based medicines are legal but regulated in India. You need to present a valid prescription for purchasing ayurvedic cannabis medicines in India.
What is Ayurvedic Cannabis?
Ayurvedic Cannabis refers to the use of cannabis leaf extracts in accordance with the sacred texts of Ayurveda. The ancient Indian system of health and medicine mentions cannabis as one of the 5 sacred plants that have the power to cure, treat, or manage a number of medical conditions. Ayurvedic cannabis refers to the preparation of cannabis-based medical formula as mentioned in the Ayurveda.
What is the difference between ayurvedic and medical cannabis?
Medical cannabis is a more generalized term that refers to the use of cannabis as a medicine. Medical cannabis products may be developed from one or more parts of the cannabis plant e.g., leaves, buds, flowers, stalks, etc.) Medical cannabis products can also be produced from one or more strains of cannabis (e.g., Sativa, Indica, hybrid, etc.)
Ayurvedic cannabis is based on the ancient Indian system of health and medicine—the Ayurveda. Ayurvedic cannabis particularly uses theleaf of the cannabis plant to create various formulations.
While medical cannabis products can come from any part of the cannabis plant, Ayurvedic cannabis products are purely leaf-based extracts. Another important feature of Ayurvedic cannabis products is that they use cannabis in combination with other medicinal plants and herbs for curing, treating, or managing an illness.
What type of medical cannabis is available in India?
Medical cannabis formulations presently available in India are leaf-based Vijaya extracts. A Vijaya extract is a full-spectrum cannabis leaf extract. The scientific name of Vijaya is cannabis Sativa Linn.
Vijaya formulations available in India can contain moderate to high amounts of THC. THC is the chemical compound that causes intoxication, commonly known as the high.
How to use medical cannabis in India?
There are 3 common ways to use ayurvedic (medical) cannabis in India:
· Oil Drops: liquid cannabis extract that are to be used through sublingual consumption i.e., by directly placing them under the tongue.
· Edibles: ready-to-eat food and drink items that can be consumed directly. Some common examples are chocolates, churan, modak, gummies, etc.
Topicals: to be used by external application on the skin. E.g., creams, balms, and salves.
Do I need a prescription for ayurvedic or medical cannabis in India?
Yes. You need a prescription to buy ayurvedic (medical) cannabis medicines in India. Cannabis is a Schedule-E1 drug, regulated by the Ministry of AYUSH and the Excise Department of India. It is mandatory to present a valid prescription to buy ayurvedic (medical) cannabis medicines or products in India.
Where to get a prescription for medical cannabis in India?
To get a prescription for medical cannabis in India, you can schedule an online consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor through CannabisDoctors. CannabisDoctors is an online medical consultation platform that connects you with certified Ayurvedic doctors from all over India.
How to buy medical cannabis in India?
To buy medical cannabis in India, you need a valid prescription from an Ayurvedic doctor. You can consult an ayurvedic doctor in India online through platforms like CannabisDoctors.
Where to buy medical cannabis in India?
You can buy medical cannabis products in India on ItsHemp. The platform collates more than 1300 cannabis products on a single platform. Please note that to buy ayurvedic or medical cannabis in India, you need to present a prescription. To book a consultation with a cannabis doctor, click here.
What is Vijaya extract?
Vijaya extract is an ayurvedic form of cannabis oil. A Vijaya extract is a full-spectrum cannabis leaf extract. That is, it retains all the chemical compounds that are originally present in the cannabis leaf.
The scientific name of Vijaya extract is cannabis Sativa Linn.
Is Vijaya extract the same as medical cannabis?
Medical cannabis is a generalized term referring to the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Medical cannabis products can come from one or more parts of the cannabis plant (buds, leaves, stalks, flowers, etc.) as well as one or more strains of cannabis (Indica, Sativa, hybrid, etc.)
Vijaya extract is an Ayurvedic cannabis formulation. It is a full-spectrum cannabis leaf extract. That is to say, Vijaya extract comes only from the leaf of the cannabis Sativa Linn. plant.
For which conditions can I use ayurvedic or medical cannabis in India?
Ayurvedic or medical cannabis formulations in India can be used to address one or more of the following medical conditions:
· Allergies
· Anxiety & Depression
· Appetite
· Anorexia
· Bloating
· Chemotherapy side effects
· Blood sugar and blood pressure levels
· Cholesterol
· Diabetes
· Digestive disorders
· Glaucoma
· Autoimmune disorders
· Irritable Bowel Syndrome
· Insomnia and other sleep disorders
· Inflammatory, neuropathic, and central pain
· Arthritis and Joint Pain
· Motion sickness
· Neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Epilepsy, etc.)
· Skin diseases
· Sexual dysfunctions
· Viral infections
Urinary tract infections
Who can prescribe medical cannabis in India?
In India, a certified Ayurvedic doctor can prescribe cannabis for medical use. There are platforms like CannabisDoctors that help you schedule an online consultation with an ayurvedic doctor.
What are the side effects of medical cannabis?
Medical cannabis may cause one or more of the following side effects:
· Drowsiness or dizziness
· Nausea and vomiting
· Dry mouth
· Diarrhoea
· Loss of balance
· Change in appetite
· Anxiety
· Convulsions
Problems with memory, thinking, and concentration.
Does medical cannabis get you high?
Medical cannabis products contain moderate to high amounts of THC. Therefore, it is possible to experience intoxication after consuming medical cannabis products.
How long is a medical cannabis prescription valid for?
The validity of a medical cannabis prescription should be mentioned on the prescription itself. A doctor may prescribe ayurvedic or medical cannabis for different amounts of time, depending on the nature and severity of the medical condition.
How can I find a registered/certified Ayurvedic cannabis doctor in India?
You can schedule an online consultation with a certified ayurvedic doctor in India through platforms like CannabisDoctors. To book an online medical cannabis consultation, click here.
What to do if the prescribed medical cannabis product is not working for me?
Cannabis works differently for everyone. If a prescribed medical or ayurvedic cannabis product is not working for you, reschedule a consultation with your doctor. Talk to the doctor honestly about the problems you’re facing. You can also consult a different doctor.
How to book an online medical or ayurvedic cannabis consultation in India?
To book an online consultation for ayurvedic or medical cannabis in India:
i. Visit CannabisDoctors.in
ii. Click on BOOK A QUICK CONSULTATION.
iii. Choose between audio and video call.
iv. Select the doctor of your choice.
v. Click on the CONTINUE button.
vi. Choose a date and time of your preference. The platform currently allows you to book consultations at least 24 hours prior.
vii. Fill in the details of the patient. If you’re booking the consultation for someone one, be sure to fill in their details. Also, please ensure that the patient is aware of this appointment being made and is willing to participate.
viii. Proceed to payment.
Once the payment is complete, you will receive an email with the details of your consultation.
Can I use medical cannabis for cancer pain?
Cannabis compounds show promise in providing symptomatic relief from the side effects of cancer treatment. Ayurvedic or medical cannabis can ease the pain, nausea, and vomiting often associated with cancer and its treatment.
What is the difference between CBD and medical cannabis?
CBD is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It is non-intoxicating in nature and has therapeutic properties. In CBD products, the main focus is on using CBD for its therapeutic benefits. CBD extracts are derived from hemp, a variety of cannabis that naturally contains the highest concentration of CBD.
Medical cannabis refers to using one or more chemical compounds present in cannabis for curing, treating, or managing an illness. Medical cannabis uses all the compounds of the cannabis plant together.
While CBD comes from hemp, medical cannabis can be derived from one or more varieties and/or strains of cannabis. In medical cannabis products, all compounds of cannabis (including THC, the one that causes the high) are used.
Does Ayurveda use cannabis?
Cannabis is one of the 5 sacred plants mentioned in the Ayurveda. The first mention of cannabis in Ayurveda is in Susrata, where its anti-phlegmatic properties are highlighted.
The Rajanurghanta defines cannabis as an astringent that has the power to dissolve phlegm, reduce costiveness, sharpen the memory, and improve appetite and digestion.
The Ayurveda contains close to 200 formulations that take cannabis as the base. These formulations can be used for pain, digestive disorders, sexual problems, mental illnesses, tumours, gout and arthritis, high blood pressure, fever and infections, kidney and bladder problems, skin burns and infections, etc.
