Popularly known as Marijuana or Ganja in India is illegal and is a punishable offence is found in possession or selling of the same.

However there is something interesting about the same in a few states in India.
As most of us must have heard or tried BHANG in the festival season is said to be legal and sold at government approved shops in India.

Bhang is a preparation from the leaves and seed capsules of the cannabis plant chewed, eaten and drunk to obtain mild euphoria. Bhang Ki Thandai (Hindi) is a drink popular in many parts of North India which is made by mixing bhang with Thandai, any cold drink prepared with a mixture of almonds, spices, milk and sugar.

Another strange fact is that it is illegal but is not enforced during observance of certain religious rituals in India.

In Orissa bhang is  used by worshippers at the temple of Jagannath at Puri; and there appears  to exist a custom, somewhat similar to that of the Durga Puja in Bengal, of offering siddhi or bhang in the form of sweetmeats to the god Ganesh, which are then eaten by the worshippers and their friends and family. This festival, called the Ganesh Chaturthi, takes place in the month of Bhadro (August-September).
There are a lot of Hindu festivals in which they are offered as a gift of Lord Shiva in aid to Sadhna(meaning "a means of accomplishing something" or more specifically "spiritual practice"). In fact even Charas, is smoked by some Shaivite devotees in chillum which is is a conical pipe made out of clay, a cow's horn, or glass. The smoker praises to Shiva will be chanted such as "Boom Shankar" or "Boom Bolenath"
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Most of foreign backpackers come to India during these festivals to take part in the spiritual acts that are very distinct and unique in themselves. So if you get a chance to visit these places in the festive season, our advise would be to stay away from the Leaf(ganja,bhang,kali) as its effect might land you somewhere you don’t want to be.