Is It Legal to Consume Weed in India for Religious Purposes?

No, consuming weed in India is generally illegal, even for religious purposes.

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), criminalises the production, possession, and consumption of weed under Section 20.

However, bhang, made from cannabis leaves, is excluded from the Act and is legally consumed in some states during festivals like Holi or Shivratri, citing tradition.

In Arjun Singh v. State of Haryana, the courts clarified that religious belief does not exempt one from the NDPS provisions.