Syllabus Connection: GS Paper III (Agriculture & Science)
Contemporary News Pivot
Himachal Pradesh has officially legalized and initiated the regulated cultivation of Industrial Hemp. This move aims to transition the state’s rural economy from "Illicit Narcotics" to a sustainable "Bio-Economy."
Scientific & Legal Guardrails
- The 0.3% THC Threshold: The core of the policy is the distinction between Marijuana and Industrial Hemp based on Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels. Only plants with $< 0.3\%$ THC (non-psychoactive) are permitted.
- NDPS Act, 1985 (Section 14): This section empowers state governments to permit and regulate cannabis cultivation for industrial (fiber/seed) or horticultural purposes. Himachal joins Uttarakhand in utilizing this legal window.
- Agrarian Resilience: Hemp is a "Carbon Negative" crop. It requires 50% less water than cotton and is naturally resistant to pests, making it an ideal alternative for hill farmers facing climate change and wildlife-related crop raids.
- Value Chain: The initiative targets the production of Hempcrete (eco-friendly construction material), specialized textiles, and Ayurvedic medicines.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
