Yo Ramdev So Cool: Patanjali Bats for Legalising Weed

Ready for Babaji ki ‘jadi buti’?

Patanjali CEO wants Marijuana to be legalised in India. 

(Photo: TheQuint/Rahul Gupta) 

Who knew Ramdev could all of a sudden become the youth’s ‘favourite baba’?

The chief executive of his company, Patanjali, Balkrishna said cannabis should be legalised in India.

In Ayurveda, since ancient times, parts of cannabis (hemp), for instance, have been used for medicinal purposes. So, we are looking at various formulations. We should ponder over the benefits and positive uses of the cannabis plant. 

Balkrishna to <a href="https://qz.com/1191203/patanjali-the-indian-cannabis-economys-new-hope/">Quartz</a>

Smoking weed has often been defended citing medicinal benefits, but the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act has banned any production and sale of cannabis resin and flowers since 1985 in India.

While speaking at a TEDx event last month, Balakrishna said, “By criminalising marijuana, we are denying a full-fledged business opportunity to our people.”

All intoxicating properties from the plant would be cleansed before using it for medicinal purposes. Much of the cannabis plant is good for health too, Balakrishna added.

And Twitterati hailed the Patanjali CEO’s statement.

(With inputs from Quartz)