Cannabis - A new beginning

Dr Reza Borhani 
Ancient Indian culture and modern pop culture don’t always mix. However, the unlikely thing that unites them both, surprisingly, is Cannabis. Be it in modern films or the ancient Vedic scriptures, Cannabis has consistently remained an integral part of Indian culture. Probably the greatest proof of this is the fact that Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism, is known as the Lord of Bhang. According to legend, Lord Shiva had an intense argument with his family and stormed off into a field to clear his head. Exhausted from the fight and the heat, Shiva eventually fell asleep in this field. When he awoke, he noticed the plant and decided to sample its leaves which instantly rejuvenated him. Extremely delighted with its effects, he began using Cannabis regularly.
Even in Ayurveda, India’s traditional holistic approach to wellness, Cannabis has been touted as the crown jewel for treatments to several ailments. According to the Vedas, which are estimated to have been compiled as early as 2000 to 1400 B.C., Cannabis was one of five sacred plants gifted to humankind and was considered a source of happiness, joy, and liberation.
In India, Cannabis is most commonly consumed in the form of Bhang, a drink made up of various nuts and spices which are then combined with Cannabis and boiled with milk or yogurt. Other forms include Ganja which is made from the flowers and upper leaves of the female plant and the extremely potent Charas which is similar in strength to Hashish and contains a lot of resin. The usage of this plant is as diverse as its preparations. Ancient warriors used it to fight fear, labourers have been using it to fight fatigue, while ascetics use it as a vehicle to achieve enlightenment and divinity. This practice carries on in the present day with Bhang being available in several government licensed shops thanks to its special legal status. While usage of other forms of the plant are banned, many continue using it on a recreational basis or to de-stress from the hectic modern life.
Recognizing the historical and medicinal importance of this plant, scientists and doctors around the world, including our team at Cannabis Health and Sciences (CHS), have performed extensive research into the properties of this legendary plant and the results are astounding. It is almost unbelievable how one plant can help treat various physical and mental ailments like Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Epilepsy, HIV, Glaucoma, Multiple Sclerosis, eating disorders, muscle spasms, pain, PTSD, Schizophrenia and even anxiety to just name a few. In fact, trying to list every benefit of this miraculous plant far exceeds the scope of this article.
It is unfortunate that these virtues have been kept out of the reach of the common people for so long due to its legal status. Given our nation’s history with Cannabis, it is our duty to share the knowledge we’ve always had, with the rest of humanity. This also begs the question that, if Lord Shiva in his infinite wisdom consumed this blessed plant, then who are we as mortals to contradict his divine insight? And if the opinion of a God is not enough, modern scientific research now has strong evidence to back these claims. It is thanks to these medical breakthroughs, the long disputed illegal status of the plant in several countries, including India, is finally on a path to change. This reform will revolutionize modern healthcare as we know it and Cannabis Health And Sciences (CHS) (www.cannabishealthandsciences.com) plans to lead this movement. Our team of medical experts has been developing several treatments using the extracts of this remarkable herb and we hope to present them to India and the rest of the world over the course of the next few months.

The writer is a founder & president of Cannabis Health and Sciences Pvt Ltd.