Two youngsters of Kangra district have founded Himachal Pradesh’s first-ever hemp-based online marketplace – Its Hemp, a online marketplace which provides a vast range of hemp-based green products from various sellers across the country, the founders expect. The platform is recognised as a start-up by the DIPP under the Startup India Program.

“Its Hemp” is dedicated to make hemp products a regular commodity,”said co-Founders Srijan Sharma and Apurva Sheel.

Srijan Sharma, 25, belongs to Kangra district and is an engineer by education. He completed his B.Tech in ECE from SRM University, Chennai. Srijan works as a marketing consultant with businesses all over the country. Previously, he had also founded “365 degrees” in 2012.

Apurva Sheel, 25, belongs to Dharamshala. She has completed her MA in Linguistics from Deccan College PGRI, Pune, Maharashtra. She is a Communications Consultant by profession and has worked as PR Manager for IBC Media. This is her first start-up.

The startup deserves a mention because it is linked to the idea of sustainable living. In a time when adopting a sustainable lifestyle has become the need of the hour. The startup (Its Hemp) offers organic and environment-friendly alternatives to everyday products. Hemp as a commodity has a long-rooted relationship with human existence. It is an organic, nutritious, chemical-free, and eco-friendly alternative to present-day products. Adoption of all kinds of hemp-based products, from apparels to accessories to hemp milk and even biodegradable plastic, is one of the many ways for humans to adopt a sustainable lifestyle, the founders said.

Nearly 25 thousands of green products can be manufactured from Cannabis (hemp) plants. Hemp Industry is one of the fastest-growing industry globally. In Himachal Pradesh, after hearing a petition filed by advocate Deven Khanna, seeking legalization of cultivation of industrial hemp in the state for manufacturing non-narcotic products including life-saving medicines, the State High Court had given a green nod and had asked the state government to formulate a policy. Considering these facts, it’s good news that Himachal’s own youth is showing interest in this industry. The government had hinted that ahead of Global Investors Meet, some foreign hemp companies have expressed their interest in Himachal’s market.

If the government decides to legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp for the production of limited green products and medicins, then it would be a boon for rural areas where the plant grows in abundance.

“Our experience with hemp products got me intrigued. On researching on the crop, we were fascinated to know the long-lost history it holds with our existence and its minimal eco-print just inspired me to promote its use,”said co-Founders Srijan and Apurva.

“In addition to orally advocating it among communities, we wanted to build a platform where users could gain access to these eco-friendly products and experiment with them. That is how Its Hemp came into existence. We are working with hemp products manufacturers and wholesalers from all over the country to create a single has-it-all stop for users,”they further added. They hope to make sustainable living a reality by educating people about this eco-friendly alternative.