Cannabis Use in India
The ancient use of cannabis
in India dates back to the Vedic period. This age was during the
formation of the oldest Hinduism scriptures dating back to 2000-1400
BC. Consumption generally is in the form of a beverage that uses the
leaves and flowers of marijuana called bhang.
The Vedas during this time
period considered cannabis as a sacred plant. They wrote about how
cannabis had a gardian angel living in it's leaves. The god Shiva is
also known as the Lord of Bhang. The story in the scriptures tell of
Shiva leaving the family after a disagreement and sleeping under a
cannabis plant. When Shiva awoke it drank bhang and made it became
the god's favorite food.(Source)
Bhang in northern India and
Nepal is widely found in Hindu festivals. Spiritual Indian wanderers
called Sadhus and an ancient islamic religion Sufis use bhang for
meditation. In rural India it is used more for medicinal properties.
They use cannabis to treat grogginess, fever, dysentery, sunstroke,
digestion, appetite, clearing phlegm, lisping and speech problems.
Men typically prepare bhang
in India. They use mortar and pestle to crush the buds and leaves to
make a paste. They ad milk, spices and ghee (butter) to make a thick
drink. Sometimes it is mixed with another popular drink called
Thandai to make “Bhang Ki Thandai”. Another popular preparation
is to mix bhang with sugar and ghee to make chewy balls called
“golee” (candy\pills).
Cannabis is deemed illegal
in most of India but not enforced. Selling can be found openly as
well as cannabis plantations in rural areas. Many Indians categorize
bhang as an alternative to alcohol. Tourists have been known to be
searched with the goal of a bribe tip.(Source)
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_cannabis_by_country
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