A 2025 report by The Core highlighted how online platforms have made cannabinoid-based Ayurvedic medicines considerably easier for Indian consumers to discover and purchase — although these products remain relatively expensive and operate within a complicated regulatory environment.
A Quiet Cannabis Market Is Growing Online
Instead of advertising products as recreational “weed” or “ganja,” Indian companies generally position them as hemp, cannabinoid or Ayurvedic formulations.
Platforms selling these products may offer formulations containing cannabinoids such as CBD and THC, depending on the product, licence and applicable regulations.
The Core cited websites including Trost, ItsHemp and CBD Store India as examples of businesses operating in this emerging space.
How Big Could India’s Cannabinoid Medicine Market Become?
One of the most striking figures discussed in the report concerns the potential size of India's cannabinoid medicine sector.
According to market research cited by The Core, the Indian cannabinoid medicine market was estimated at approximately $1.3 billion in FY2024 and projected to reach around $4.7 billion by FY2032.
The forecast represented a compound annual growth rate of more than 17%.
The category includes products such as cannabinoid extracts, capsules, topical formulations, powders and other medicinal products rather than India's illegal recreational cannabis market.
Why Ayurveda Matters
India's cannabis laws are more complicated than simply saying that every part of the cannabis plant is illegal.
Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, “ganja” is defined around the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant, while seeds and leaves are excluded from that definition when they are not accompanied by the tops.
This distinction helps explain the continued legal existence of preparations such as bhang and also creates a regulatory pathway for certain cannabis-derived products, subject to other applicable laws and licences.
Ayurveda adds another dimension because cannabis, traditionally referred to as Vijaya in some Ayurvedic contexts, has a history of medicinal use in India.
You May Need an Ayurvedic Prescription
Consumers cannot necessarily treat regulated cannabis-based Ayurvedic medicines like ordinary wellness supplements.
The Core reported that some online platforms arrange consultations with Ayurvedic doctors before eligible products are sold.
A consumer may describe the medical reason for seeking a product, receive an assessment and, where considered appropriate by the practitioner, obtain a prescription before completing the purchase.
This has effectively brought parts of the consultation and purchasing process online.
These Products Aren’t Cheap
Accessibility does not necessarily mean affordability.
The report found that some cannabis-based Ayurvedic products can cost approximately ₹3,000–₹4,000 or more.
Industry participants interviewed by The Core argued that regulatory compliance, testing, licensing and batch approvals contribute significantly to these prices.
That means the cost consumers see online is not simply determined by the price of cultivating cannabis or hemp.
Legal Cannabis Is Not the Same as Legal Weed
This distinction is especially important.
The availability of some cannabinoid medicines online does not mean recreational marijuana has been legalised across India.
The NDPS framework specifically regulates cannabis resin, flowering and fruiting tops and cannabis cultivation, while allowing government-controlled exceptions and regulatory pathways for medical and scientific purposes.
Different states can also have their own rules concerning cannabis leaves, bhang, hemp cultivation and related products.
Consumers Still Need to Be Careful
The growth of this industry creates another challenge: separating properly regulated medical products from exaggerated cannabis marketing.
Cannabis and cannabinoids are being scientifically investigated for several medical applications, but that does not mean every disease-related claim made online has strong clinical evidence behind it.
Consumers should pay attention to ingredients, cannabinoid concentrations, manufacturing standards, licences and medical guidance rather than assuming that something labelled “Ayurvedic” is automatically suitable or risk-free.
India’s Cannabis Story Is Changing Quietly
India may not have followed countries that created broad recreational cannabis markets, but another cannabis economy has been developing much more quietly.
It sits at the intersection of Ayurveda, medical cannabis, hemp, e-commerce and modern cannabinoid science.
The emergence of online cannabis-based Ayurvedic products shows that India's cannabis conversation is no longer limited to prohibition or recreational marijuana.
Medical applications, traditional knowledge and regulated cannabinoid products could ultimately become some of the most important forces shaping the future of cannabis in India.
Source: The Core – The Signal Daily
Original Report: The Quiet Boom Of India’s Online Ayurvedic Cannabis Market
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