The Complexities Of Sourcing Afghanistan Hash In The Us

Afghanistan has a long history of cannabis cultivation and hashish production. While it is illegal to use, sell or buy cannabis in Afghanistan, it is widely consumed and cultivated in the country. Hashish is produced practically everywhere in and around Afghanistan. It is made by hand-pressing cannabis dry sift with the addition of a small quantity of water or tea. The product is then stored in the form of 100mg bricks or hash balls.

In Afghanistan, hashish is consumed by people from all walks of life, including parliamentarians, government officials, doctors, engineers, businessmen, and soldiers. It is also an important part of the country's economy, with the United Nations reporting in 2010 that Afghanistan was the world's top cannabis producer. The country's unique geography and climate have helped it resist foreign rule, allowing its native cannabis strains to be protected from modern hybrids.

Despite the illegality of cannabis in Afghanistan, there have been calls for its legalisation. During his 2014 campaign, President Ashraf Ghani suggested that he might consider legalising the drug. However, growing pressure from the international community to control Afghanistan's booming hashish trade may deter any moves towards legalisation.

Hashish production in Afghanistan

Hashish, called "chars" in Dari and Pashto, is made from the resin of the cannabis plant and is usually smoked, although historical records indicate it was also consumed in drinks mixed with other substances. Afghanistan's "chars", also known as "Afghan Black", is a potent drug.

The cannabis plant is indigenous to the region of which Afghanistan is a part, and it has been cultivated there for centuries. Cannabis Indica is native to Afghanistan, and with Cannabis Sativa also originating in Central Asia, it is likely that all existing cannabis strains originated in the country.

In 2010, the United Nations reported that Afghanistan was the world's top cannabis producer. The UNODC Afghanistan Cannabis Survey estimated that between 10,000 and 24,000 hectares of cannabis are grown in Afghanistan every year, yielding 145 kilograms per hectare of hashish. This makes Afghanistan the world's biggest producer of hashish, with an estimated annual production of between 1,500 and 3,500 tons.

The gross income gained per hectare of cannabis is higher than that of opium—$3,900 compared to $3,600. Cannabis is also cheaper to harvest and process; in Afghanistan, it is three times cheaper to cultivate a hectare of cannabis than a hectare of opium. As a result, the net income of a hectare of cannabis is $3,341 compared to $2,005 per hectare of opium.

However, opium is still favoured over cannabis among Afghan farmers. This is because cannabis has a short shelf life and is a summer crop, grown when less water is available for irrigation. In the aggregate, the value of cannabis resin production in Afghanistan was estimated at between $39 million and $94 million, about 10-20% of the farm-gate value of opium production ($438 million in 2009).

The production and export of Afghan hashish expanded beyond traditional markets in the 1970s, coinciding with the popularisation of hashish in modern culture and popular music globally, with hippies as a hallmark. During this time, Western hippies and drug-trafficking entrepreneurs travelled to Afghanistan in search of high-quality Afghan hashish, which had become an attractive brand for Western consumers. The demand for Afghan hashish pushed producers to alter their methods of production to meet the ever-increasing appetite.

In recent decades, the emergence of the Taliban and the subsequent US invasion following the attacks of 9/11 have complicated the role of cannabis within Afghanistan. Despite claims that Afghanistan is the largest hashish producer in the world, the political, economic, and security issues on the ground present a far more varied and complicated picture.

The prevalence of cannabis cultivation and trade is dependent on local prices and competition, which can influence the extent to which cannabis is grown as a primary, secondary, or even tertiary agricultural commodity. The precise features and contours of the Afghan cannabis trade are nebulous and unpredictable. However, what is known is that cannabis is grown widely, hashish is exported to regional and global markets, and the industry remains an enduring element of the Afghan drug trade and economy.

Hashish consumption in Afghanistan

Hashish, known as 'chars' in Dari and Pashto, is usually consumed by smoking, although there is some historical evidence that it was also consumed in drinks mixed with other substances. Hashish is made by hand-pressing cannabis dry sift with the addition of a small quantity of water or tea. It is worked until it becomes highly elastic, resulting in a rich flavour and a strong aromatic smell. In Afghanistan, the product is then stored in the form of 100mg bricks or hash balls.

Hashish is produced practically everywhere in and around Afghanistan. The country is believed to have one of the oldest continuous cannabis cultures in the world, and is thought to be the origin of all existing cannabis strains.

In Afghanistan, most people do not smoke cannabis flowers, known as 'ganja' in the West. Instead, they smoke the local form of hashish, 'charas' (pronounced 'chaars' in Afghanistan). Charas is native to Central Asia and is made by sieving the resin glands of the cannabis plant and storing it in a leather pouch to cure.

In Afghanistan, hashish is an opportunity to socialise with friends and family. One of the oldest smoking techniques is naysha, which involves dropping a pellet of hashish into glowing embers and sucking up the vapours through a straw while keeping some water in the mouth. Afghans also use chillums, which are wooden water pipes similar to shishas, but handheld. Many cannabis farmers have a chillum room in their homes, where they receive guests. In towns, chillum bars can also be found, where smokers gather to drink green tea around the pipe.

In Afghanistan, hashish is also consumed alongside eating melon, which is said to increase the high and decrease any negative side effects.

Although hashish consumption is widespread in Afghanistan, it is still largely a 'male' drug. A 2009 UNODC survey found that around 60% of the country's drug users had used cannabis in the past, with the annual prevalence of use at 8.1% in men, and just 0.2% in women.

Despite the illegality of hashish, many people in Afghanistan use it, and even President Ashraf Ghani said he would consider legalising it during his 2014 campaign. However, with mounting pressure from the international community to curb the flow of hashish from Afghanistan, it seems unlikely that it will be legalised any time soon.

Hashish trade in Afghanistan

Hashish has been produced in Afghanistan for hundreds of years, and traditional methods are still used to process it. The dried flowers and leaves are harvested, threshed and sieved to produce garda—a powder rich in trichomes. The garda is then sold to hash-makers, who soften it by lighting a match and roll it into a ball. This is a time-consuming and painstaking process, which is reflected in the price.

The cannabis plant is indigenous to the region of which Afghanistan is a part. It is believed that the country was one of the first to actively cultivate it and to incorporate it into their culture. Botanists believe that it may have even originated in the country.

The use of cannabis for its psychoactive properties is thought to have originated in Central and South Asia. The famous Sufi adherent, Baba Ku, is a legendary folkloric character from Balkh in Afghanistan, who legendarily introduced hashish to the country.

During the 1960s, the growing demand from Western nations for Afghan hashish helped forge key global trafficking networks. In the 1970s, production and export expanded beyond traditional markets, and Afghanistan became a major supplier of hashish to Europe and North America.

In 1973, King Zahir Shah outlawed cannabis production, backed by $47 million in funding from the United States government. However, a US cable from the same year detailing the involvement of King Zahir's personal valet in an attempt to smuggle 40 kilograms of hashish oil to the US illustrates how difficult it was for Afghanistan to start its anti-drug trafficking operations.

In 2010, the United Nations reported that Afghanistan was the world's top cannabis producer, with an estimated yield of 1,500 to 3,500 tons per year. While some of the cannabis is intended for the domestic market, much of it is smuggled abroad. Europe is a big market for Afghan hash, with much of it entering the continent via Albania or southwest Asia.

In recent decades, Afghanistan has become synonymous with opium. However, cannabis has a longer history of cultivation and use in the country. It is grown and used extensively, and little is known about its cultural impact and enduring presence in the illicit economy of Afghanistan.

The prevalence of cannabis, especially hashish, as both a domestic and global good in Afghan history, is critically understudied. Despite its importance to the growth of the illicit opium trade that flourishes in Afghanistan, it is often overlooked as an integral piece of the Afghan drug economy.

Hashish legality in Afghanistan

Hashish is illegal in Afghanistan, but it has been cultivated for centuries and is deeply embedded in the country's culture. The country is believed to be the origin of the cannabis plant, with the first use of the drug in the country being attributed to the folkloric character, Baba Ku.

The drug was criminalised in 1957, largely due to pressure from the US, but the law was rarely enforced. In the 1960s, the 'Hippie Trail' brought an influx of young tourists with an appetite for hashish to Afghanistan. In the 1970s, hashish production expanded beyond the country's traditional markets, with Western tourists and drug traffickers fuelling demand. In 1973, King Zahir Shah outlawed hashish production, with the support of the US government, but the momentum of the trade was not interrupted.

In recent decades, the emergence of the Taliban and the US invasion following 9/11 have complicated the role of hashish in Afghanistan. The Taliban has banned hashish production, but the drug remains an important part of the country's economy. The UN has named Afghanistan the world's largest hashish producer, but the precise amounts cultivated are unknown. Hashish is exported to regional and global markets, with Europe being a major consumer.

Despite the illegality of the drug, hashish is widely consumed in Afghanistan, with people from all backgrounds using it. The country's president, Ashraf Ghani, has even suggested that he would consider legalising the drug.

Hashish tourism in Afghanistan

Historical Context

Afghanistan has a long history of cannabis cultivation, dating back centuries. The plant is believed to have originated in the region, and its use is deeply embedded in Afghan culture. The country's unique geographical position along ancient trading routes contributed to the spread of cannabis beyond its borders.

Production and Trade

Afghanistan is a major producer and exporter of hashish, with a global reputation for the quality of its product, known as "Afghan Black." The country's favourable climate and terrain have made it an ideal location for cannabis cultivation, and its isolation has protected native cannabis strains from modern hybrids, making it a biodiversity hotspot.

Social and Cultural Significance

Hashish consumption in Afghanistan is a longstanding tradition, with references to it found in Afghan folklore and poetry. While it is technically illegal, the drug is widely consumed and socially accepted, especially among certain groups such as the mujahideen fighters during the anti-Soviet jihad. Hashish smoking is often associated with relaxation and socialisation, and there are dedicated spaces like chillum bars and chillumkhana where people gather to smoke together.

Economic Impact

The hashish trade has been an important component of Afghanistan's economy for decades, providing a source of income for farmers and contributing to the country's GDP. However, the illegal nature of the trade has also led to its association with insurgent groups and the funding of their activities.

Legal Status and Enforcement

The legal status of hashish in Afghanistan has fluctuated over the years, with periods of prohibition and enforcement interspersed with more lenient approaches. Currently, it is illegal to use, sell, or cultivate cannabis in the country. However, enforcement can be challenging due to the extensive cultivation and the powerful actors involved in the trade.

Tourism

While there is limited specific information available about "hashish tourism" as a discrete category, it is clear that Afghanistan has attracted visitors seeking to experience the country's unique cannabis culture. The Hippie Trail of the 1960s and 1970s brought an influx of young Western tourists with an appetite for hashish, and similar types of travellers continue to be drawn to the country even amid security concerns and strict religious rule.

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