The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), under the Ministry of Ayush, has issued an advisory to prevent registered medical practitioners from marketing themselves as cannabis specialists, warning of possible legal repercussions. While it is legal for practitioners of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa to prescribe cannabis-based medicines with approval from State Drug Licensing Authorities, the advisory aims to prevent misuse and promote the safe, ethical, and responsible use of cannabis in medical practice. The NCISM emphasized that any use of cannabis-containing drugs must comply with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and other relevant laws.
This advisory was issued following an inter-ministerial meeting held in May 2024 to address the illegal sale of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani drugs containing cannabis. The…
