The hemp plant has been known by many names such as Trailokyavijaya, Ananda Ganjakini, Vidalhada, Chapala, Charas, Madini, Veerapatra, Vijpatra, etc., since ancient times in Sanskrit literature. The term “Trailoka Vijaya Pathra” signifies the unification and reconciliation of the three doors: mind, body, and word.
In the traditional local knowledge book known as Puskola Grantha, this powerful medicinal plant is referred to as “Cannabis.” It is known as Ganja in Asian countries and Marijuana in Western countries. The ancients firmly believed that consuming the right dose of this plant would provide the human body with the same strength as a forest shelter. The cannabis plant has a long history, stretching from Kashmir along the Himalayas to southern Kazakhstan. Archaeological excavations in the Gangetic Valley of the Altai Mountains in China have confirmed the widespread use of hemp in a large area. Carbon-14 testing reveals that the origin of this plant dates back 37 million years.
Among the countries where this herb thrives, Sri Lanka holds a priority. Various parts of the hemp plant are recommended as the main ingredients in over a thousand traditional medicine recipes.
Sage Pulast Wrishii, a renowned doctor in the field of local medicine who lived in Sri Lanka about 4400 years ago (ancestors of King Ravana), listed the hemp plant as a powerful medicine in a significant number of prescriptions. The Ramayana, which dates back to 2554 BC, confirms that the medicinal properties of the hemp plant were extensively discussed in the ancient medical texts of King Ravana, namely Arkaprakasya, Nadivignana, Kumaratantra, and Udishatantra. The hemp plant is included in the quintet of wondrous branches mentioned in the Rig Veda. King Buddhadasa (341-370 AD) compiled a medical book that describes the medicinal values of the hemp plant in detail, known as the Sarartha Sangraha. Ancient famous local medical texts such as Yogarnavaya and Prayagoratnavaliya (1232 AD) also provide detailed descriptions of the medicinal properties of the hemp plant.
Hemp belongs to a group of plants called Cannabis sativa, which is part of the Cannabaceae genus. It thrives in temperate and tropical climates. Hemp is an incredibly versatile plant, with different parts containing cannabinoids such as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD), which are psychoactive chemicals. These compounds stimulate the pleasure centers in the brain, resulting in a light, happy, and enjoyable experience for those who consume cannabis.
When hemp parts are burned, smoked, or inhaled, they elicit a spectrum of psychoactivity in humans. Hemp is a potent immunosuppressant that enhances cytokine responses. It has been used in indigenous and Ayurvedic medicine for treating various conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, skin diseases, heartburn, skin lightening, hair growth, wrinkle control, and as an antiseptic and herbal herb. Many people in society are turning to hemp for its antioxidant properties, increased sexual energy, and physical strength.
In the past, hemp provided rare stimulation to rural farmers, helping them alleviate the fatigue from their day-long farming activities. Lighting a small bonfire in the evening and sitting around it with neighbors while inhaling the hemp smoke was an integral part of their daily routine. However, the use of hemp as well as the freedom to use it as an herb was deprived of the people when the Poisons, Opium, and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance decriminalized the use of cannabis in 1935.
The prohibition of hemp use in Sri Lanka can be attributed to several factors. The British Empress issued an order banning the use of hemp in 1867, influenced partly by the strength of Sinhalese forces fighting against British rule. British authorities, motivated to find reasons to weaken the Sinhalese, received reports from spies stating that the use of hemp increased the stamina of the Sinhalese and prevented diseases. Additionally, the British pharmaceutical business in Sri Lanka was at a low level, and they feared that the cultivation and use of hemp would lead to a decline in tobacco cultivation, which the British planned to introduce to Sri Lanka. Overcoming the original prohibition of hemp was also a challenge for Western pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and local herbs that produced hemp-related products. Thus, a strict law prohibiting the cultivation, possession, and use of hemp was imposed.
The Ayurveda Act made it possible for Ayurvedic doctors to procure hemp for their medicinal products, and recent international laboratory research has confirmed the medicinal value of the hemp plant. Medical researchers have found that when used in prescribed doses for mental stimulation, hemp has fewer adverse effects on the human body compared to alcohol and tobacco.
The use of hemp for mental pleasure has been legalized in several countries, including Uruguay and 35 states in the US for medicinal purposes. Former President Barack Obama acknowledged that smoking marijuana does not cause more harm than alcohol and stated that the legalization of drugs could solve many social problems. Universities, such as Niagara University in the United States, have established dedicated faculties for the study and research of hemp cultivation and related commercial products.
The Ayurveda Act made it possible for Ayurvedic doctors to procure hemp for their medicinal products, and recent international laboratory research has confirmed the medicinal value of the hemp plant. Medical researchers have found that when used in prescribed doses for mental stimulation, hemp has fewer adverse effects on the human body compared to alcohol and tobacco.
China, the world’s largest hemp producer, has never banned hemp, and the global raw industrial hemp market is predicted to grow by 300% or reach US$10 billion in the next five years. Currently, more than 70 countries, including the United States and China, earn billions of dollars annually from the production of raw industrial hemp.
In conclusion, the cultivation and export of hemp have the potential to significantly contribute to Sri Lanka’s economy. With its rich historical background and wide international demand for medicinal production, hemp can be a valuable asset for the country. By embracing hemp cultivation in a regulated and marketable manner, Sri Lanka can tap into the growing global hemp market and alleviate its foreign exchange crisis. However, it is crucial to establish proper government guidance, policies, and a regulatory framework to ensure the responsible and controlled use of hemp. With the right approach, hemp has the power to bring about positive economic and social transformations in Sri Lanka, making it a true green miracle.