So is that why they call it Indica?
Whilst in the West cannabis is a much maligned and demonised plant, for those who share my cultural background it has largely been regarded as benign or beneficial, and even a sacred plant for over 4,000 years.
Growing up I oſten heard accounts of a ‘mysterious’ substance known as bhang. My granddad would of- ten regale us with stories about parties where they’d imbibe bhang lassi, a milkshake type drink, and then dance the night away.
Talking about bhang wasn’t ever taboo in my family, but then I didn’t exactly know what the word actually meant!! Aged 11 my curiosity finally got the better of me and one weekend I asked my granddad, “What is this bhang that you speak so fondly of?” My grand- dad looked sternly towards me, “Oh shit!” I thought “I should have kept my mouth shut!!” My granddad got up out of his seat, walked over towards me and told me to follow him. He led me out to the garden and into his greenhouse, there growing amongst the chillies, tomatoes, and peppers was the familiar five
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fingered leaf I recognised as being associated with hippies or Rastafarianism. “Tere that’s bhang” he said. “But isn’t that drugs?” I enquired. “Any sub- stance can be abused and that is wrong but this, when used sensibly, is heaven sent and was given to us by Rab (God)…”
Cannabis has a long history in India, veiled in legends, spirituality and religion. It is in Te Vedas that you find the earliest mention of cannabis. Sacred Hindu texts, these writings are thought to have been com- piled as early as 2000 B.C. It is written that cannabis was one of five sacred plants given to man at the crea- tion of the world, regarded as a source of happiness, the joy-giver, a liberator that was compassionately given to humans to help us attain delight and lose all fear. Te Hindu god, Shiva is frequently associated with cannabis. According to legend, Shiva wandered off into the fields aſter an altercation with his fam- ily. Drained from the family squabble and the beating midday sun, he fell asleep under a leafy plant. When he awoke, his curiosity led him to sample the leaves of the plant, feeling instantly rejuvenated, Shiva made
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