Charas

History and Cultural Significance:

• Charas has been used for thousands of years across the Indian subcontinent.
• It was sold in government shops in British India and independent India until the 1980s.
• Plays an important role in the culture and rituals of certain Hindu sects.
• Made illegal in India in 1985 under U.S. pressure.
• Production in Nepal was halted in 1976 due to international pressure.
• Venerated by some as an aspect of Lord Shiva.
• Popular among Indian sadhus and certain sects for religious practices.

Geographical Information and Manufacturing:

• Charas is used for medicinal and religious purposes in the Indian subcontinent.
• Manufacturing locations in India include Parvati Valley, Malana, and Kashmir.
• High-quality hashish in India comes from cannabis grown in the mountains or smuggled from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• The variety from Himachal Pradesh is considered the best in India.
• Hand-harvesting involves rubbing live cannabis plants to make charas.
• Villagers in Himachal Pradesh turn to cannabis cultivation as a cash crop.

Legal and Regulatory Aspects:

• Charas was made illegal in India in 1985 under U.S. pressure.
• Indian subcontinent is popular with backpackers due to charas availability.
• Illegally exported to Europe from India.
• Legal history in the United States impacted cannabis legality.
• Major legal reforms like the 2018 Cannabis Act in Canada and the German cannabis control bill.
• Treaty law rescheduled cannabis in 2020.
• UK returned cannabis to class B.
• Various legal cases like Gonzales v. Raich have influenced cannabis laws.

References and Information Sources:

• Books like ‘Forces of Habit’ and ‘The Cross Name Index to Medicinal Plants’ discuss charas.
• Articles from various sources like DNA India and The Times of India provide insights on charas cultivation.
• Reports from the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission and the Nepal Law Commission discuss cannabis laws.
• Various news articles and journals explore the recreational use and cultural significance of charas.
• Websites like Rehabs.in and Psysociety offer comprehensive guides on charas.

International Influence and Trade:

• Charas production in Nepal was halted in 1976 due to international pressure.
• Illegally exported to Europe from India.
• Treaty law rescheduled cannabis in 2020.
• UK returned cannabis to class B.

Charas Data Sources