There has been a lot of dialogue around the legality of cannabis in India without much progress. While recreational use of Marijuana is still illegal in the country, hemp, another variety of flowering plant from the same Cannabaceae family of plants, is widely used in the production of textiles, food, and edible oils. Several cafes have cropped up in the country which incorporate hemp in their food and drinks, encouraging factual discourse around cannabis.
Off Limits, Kasol and Manali- This café, nestled in the hills of Kasol and Manali, was the first in India to serve hemp-infused dishes and drinks. Owners Omair Alam and Mayank Gupta are determined to weed out the misinformation surrounding India&rsquos cannabis culture. Besides their hemp-heavy menu, they also have what they call &lsquohemp educators&rsquo who talk to the guests about the benefits of using hemp and answer any questions they might have.
The Hemp Cafeteria, Pune- This new café in Pune is another one in this small but steadily growing list of hemp cafes that is blending in hemp with their menu. They serve primarily snacks, including sandwiches and burgers and even coffee- all prepared using some amount of hemp. Like Off Limits, The Hemp Café or THC, as it is commonly known, is also educating its customers through hosting a hemp museum to disseminate correct information and raise awareness about the proper use and advantages of hemp.
Drinking Safari PitStop, Faridabad- An open space cafe with rustic exteriors that is as far away from a sophisticated dining space as you can imagine. Built on a sprawling stretch of land at Yansh Adventure Motorsport, Faridabad, this is one café that has caught the fancy of many youngsters. They also specialize in building a mouth-watering menu using hemp seeds. Conceptualized and owned by Kama KM, this pet-friendly, informal watering hole is everything you would think of when you think of spending a chill day out. They pride themselves in serving preservative-free organic drinks like Honey Lemonade, Filter Coffee, Kala Khatta Cooler, and Sweet Sattu Drink, among others. The owner also runs a wellness range called The Big Bhang Theory that sells hemp seeds and oil used to make dips and other condiments. They use their products in the café&rsquos menu as well.