Shimla, June 21 -- Cash strapped Himachal Pradesh is looking to earn a revenue of Rs.2,000 crore through hemp cultivation. Moving towards the same, the state cabinet recently approved amendments to the Himachal Pradesh NDPS Rules, 1989, to regulate the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, warehousing and transportation of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes.

Under what is being termed as the state's "Green to Gold" push, the state aims to position Himachal Pradesh as a manufacturing centre for 'Hempcrete'- an innovative, carbon-negative construction material, as well as specialised textiles and ayurvedic medicines.

By fostering this new sector, the government is not only seeking to make Himachal the most prosperous state by ...