Recreational Use of Cannabis: Insights from India and Other Asian Countries

In recent years, cannabis has sparked both curiosity and controversy due to its purported benefits and risks. Cannabis remains the most widely used drug globally, and its use is increasing, possibly due to greater access, changing cultural perceptions, and evolving legislation. The National Household Survey of Drugs in India reveals that approximately 3% of the Indian population are current cannabis users. Across 16 Asian countries, cannabis use prevalence ranges from 0.30% to 19.10%. Cannabis continues to be a widely used recreational drug in India and across Asia. Notably, Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalize the use and purchase of cannabis leaves in February 2021, followed by the legalization of the whole plant in June 2022. While India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 permits cannabis use for medical and scientific research, recreational use remains prohibited. There are concerns about the potential gateway effect of cannabis use, which could lead to the consumption of more harmful substances. With cannabis legalization spreading globally and its influence extending to Asian countries, it is crucial to evaluate whether the perceived benefits outweigh the risks. In fact, multiple petitions have been filed in High Courts advocating for the decriminalization of cannabis use, highlighting its medicinal, industrial, ecological, and economic potential. However, it is important to assess with longitudinal research the potential benefits and risks of recreational cannabis use in Indian and Asian countries. The current evidence does not strongly support significant health benefits. However, factors such as social perception, economic considerations, religious beliefs, and cannabis’s cultural role make it difficult to clearly determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks.