Hydroponic Marijuana, a new entrant in Hyderabad’s illicit market

The anti-drug teams and law enforcement agencies in the city are grappling with the surge in the smuggling and distribution of a new form of narcotic substance – ‘Hydroponic Marijuana’ or Hydroponic Cannabis

Hyderabad: Marijuana, which until recently was also known to be cultivated clandestinely on terraces and back yards of houses has now made its way into the closets and to the bedrooms.

The anti-drug teams and law enforcement agencies in the city are grappling with the surge in the smuggling and distribution of a new form of narcotic substance – ‘Hydroponic Marijuana’ or Hydroponic Cannabis, a potent form of cannabis cultivated using water-based, nutrient-rich solutions instead of traditional soil methods.

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This sophisticated cultivation technique, often associated with higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, has become increasingly prevalent among drug peddlers supplying it in the city’s illicit market.

As per available information, investigations revealed that smugglers employ ingenious methods to conceal hydroponic cannabis. Common tactics involve hiding the substance in airtight plastic bags within food packaging like chocolate boxes or tetra packs, aiming to evade detection by masking the strong odour of the contraband.

Police officials said the allure of hydroponic marijuana lies in its high potency, with THC levels ranging anywhere between 30 per cent to 40 per cent significantly, surpassing the 3 per cent to 4 per cent found in conventional cannabis plants.

“This increased strength has led to a growing demand among consumers, particularly in urban centers. Consequently, the price of hydroponic cannabis has skyrocketed, fetching anywhere between Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore per kg in the international market,” said a senior official adding that drug smugglers are choosing it due to the high profitability of the trade.

Meanwhile, police authorities say that despite its potency, hydroponic cannabis often falls under less severe legal categories due to its classification under current narcotics laws, posing a unique challenge to the law enforcement agencies.

What is Hydroponic Cannabis?

Marijuana grown using hydroponic technique and artificial lights is known as hydro ganja. It is grown in a water-rich environment, not soil. Smugglers usually buy the seeds online and grow the plants using LED lights. It is a method of growing cannabis without the use of soil. Instead, plants are grown in nutrient-rich water solutions. Because, the roots are not restricted by soil, they can access oxygen faster and grow at an accelerated rate.

* October 2024 : Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials caught two passengers smuggling hydroponic cannabis in vacuum-sealed packets from Bangkok at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. A total of 7 kgs of the contraband valued at Rs 7 crore in the illicit market was seized.

* April 2025 : The Hyderabad Police caught four persons including a techie and an architect in possession of 1380 grams of hydroponic marijuana worth nearly Rs 1 crore in Nallakunta.