Updated: December 10, 2020 8:56:07 am
A woman brought the cannabis plant to her Malana village in Himachal Pradesh. (Express Photo: Jasbir Malhi, File)
The Narcotics Control Office in Mumbai claimed on Wednesday to have seized the contraband ‘Malana Cream’ from a person linked to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. What is Malana Cream and why is it one of the most sought after forms of hash in the world? We explain.
What is Malana Cream?
It is the charas or hashish or hashish that comes from the Malana valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Charas, called bhang in Himachal, is the resin obtained from a species or strain of the cannabis plant (the botanical classification of cannabis is disputed), which grows naturally in the valley and is also cultivated illegally. The valley has only one village, Malana, and the hashish resin produced there is generally more “creamy” or clay-like compared to that produced in other parts of the state.
What makes it unique?
The cannabis plant has a series of chemical compounds called cannabinoids, among which tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive component that produces the feeling of euphoria.
Low THC strains of the plant are used for industrial and non-pharmacological purposes, such as making rope, paper, textiles, etc. Plants with a high level of another cannabinoid called CBD (cannabidiol) are used for medicinal purposes.
A high proportion of THC is required in the plant extract for recreational drug use and Malana cream is believed to be particularly rich in THC, making it more potent. The resin extracted from the plant, usually by rubbing with the hands, is also more concentrated to obtain the most potent hash oil.
Additionally, Malana charas have a distinct set of turpenes, aromatic compounds associated with flavor, and other characteristics. These characteristics are the result of the unique climatic conditions of the valley.
‘Charas’ is sold outside the town of Malana. (Express photo: Jaipal Singh, file)
How much does it cost?
According to the police, Malana Cream varieties are generally sold for Rs 1,500-8,000 per 10 grams in India, depending on the purity of the product and the place of sale. As charas are smuggled further, the price increases. Once it’s smuggled out of the country, the price skyrockets – it’s one of the most expensive forms of hash that is sold in cafes in Amsterdam, for example.
Street vendors who smuggle charas out of the valley generally use hiking trails in the mountains, making them difficult to catch.
How is it so widely produced if it is illegal?
Malana is a remote village that remained isolated from other dwellings in the area for centuries and developed its own distinctive culture. The closest highway is still four kilometers downhill and was built in 2007 to facilitate a hydroelectric project. Before the route, residents had to walk a distance of 26 km for 12 to 15 hours to reach the market in the adjacent valley, according to Pradhan Bhagi Ram people.
However, a few decades ago, Malana emerged on the world map with the rise of the countercultural movement in Western countries and began to attract psychedelic drug users from all over the world.
Charas was banned in India in 1986 under the NDPS Act, but the plant was considered an important crop in Kullu, used for a variety of other purposes, such as shoemaking. 📣 Follow Express explained on Telegram
With increased road connectivity, Malana and its neighboring Parvati valley became famous for ‘drug tourism’, with national and foreign tourists flocking to the area attracted by the easy availability of drugs and by the scenic walks.
Security agencies sometimes have to walk for hours and even days to locate and burn cannabis fields or locate street vendors. Those involved in the lucrative trade move their fields up or into more remote parts of the mountains when this happens. Also, the plant grows naturally in the area, so it cannot be completely removed.
The illegality of cannabis has made it a contentious issue in Himachal, as it has some cultural acceptance in the state. A petition to allow the non-narcotic use of the plant as in some other states is pending in the state’s superior court, and several legislators support it. In the last session of the Assembly, MLA Ramesh Chand Dhawala spoke extensively about the medicinal and other benefits of hemp, complaining that “the police are hell-bent on hunting down and destroying this plant.”
A satellite image of the town of Malana
About Malana
Malana currently has a population of 2,350 inhabitants and is located at an altitude of 2,650 meters above sea level. It has been “an autonomous democratic society for centuries,” according to the Himachal government. In addition to the Malana cream, it also attracts visitors for its ancient traditions, scenic beauty, popular walks, a distinct culture, and myths and legends associated with the inhabitants.
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