Hemp is a natural alternative to lifestyle disorders, says Srijan Sharma at India Today Conclave | Pics

Srijan Sharma, co-founder of ItsHemp, Rohit Kamath and Loveena Sirohi, co-founders of India Hemp Organics, and Chirag Tekchandaney, co-founder and CEO of Bombay Hemp Company spoke at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2022 on November 5 in a session titled, On a High: The Facts, Fallacies and Fears Around Cannabis and Hemp CBD Products.

Loveena Sirohi said that it is "the responsibility of us as an industry" to not make hemp a taboo and not to limit it to just recreational purposes. "This plant holds a long historical and cultural connection with us. We've been witnesses to so many patients who are benefitting from it" on the medicinal front.

Chirag Tekchandaney said that apart from its medicinal properties, it is good for the soil too. "It remediates the soil and makes it more fertile to grow the next season. It soaks a lot of carbon dioxide and is really good for the planet," he said.

Rohit Kamath explained how we can understand the use of hemp in today's time. He said, "It is like looking at a cat family. You have a lion, a tiger and a leopard -- all of these are different species. Similarly, in hemp, you have one compound out of the thousand other compounds that makes you high, which is THC. Isolating that one compound, you have nothing else that is intoxicating in any nature. In fact, hemp can get you really high on nutrition and nothing else."

Srijan stated that people can switch from the use of drugs to a natural substance which has the ability to cure various disorders. "In India, there are over 400 menstruating women, there are 200,000 million chronic patients and 100 million high-stress employees and adding that India is one of the most depressed countries, with one in five people suffering from depression or anxiety. Having a natural alternative to lifestyle disorders is paramount for any individual," he said.