Cannabis plant is native to Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, in the Himalayan mountains from Kashmir through to Nepal, and even Bhutan and Myanmar. Its use by humans can be traced back as far as 8000 BCE, where archaeological evidence of hemp has been found in China, Taiwan and Japan.

The first rope in recorded history was twisted from Hemp in China in the 28th century B.C. with hemp-based paper and clothing dating to about the same period. Hemp has been grown in almost all Asian and European countries throughout history. It is one of the oldest, heartiest and most versatile plants on earth and an important source of fibres, food and medicine.

Hemp uses sunlight more efficiently than most other plants, and therefore grows dense and vigorously, making it generally free of weeds, which fail under the canopy of a hemp field. It is also naturally resistant to pests, so rarely needs chemical treatment. Hemp grows to maturity in just 14 weeks.

Hemp and India go back thousands of years, too. In fact, the Vedas, estimated to be at least 3400 years old, refer to it as one of the five most sacred plants.