Weed And War: Unraveling The Complex Relationship Between Marijuana And Military Service

Afghanistan has a rich history of cannabis cultivation, with the plant being native to the country. However, despite its ancient weed culture, cannabis has been illegal in Afghanistan since the 1970s. This hasn't stopped the country from becoming the world's top cannabis producer in 2010, according to a United Nations report.

The issue of cannabis in Afghanistan is complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, the country's unique geography and climate have helped it resist foreign rule, preserving its native cannabis strains from modern hybrids. On the other hand, the country's economic development has stalled due to decades of conflict, and the cannabis industry has boomed worldwide with growers investing in hybrid varieties.

In terms of the presence of the US military in Afghanistan, there have been reports and documentation of American soldiers posing with marijuana and smoking it while deployed. This has triggered military investigations and raised questions about the compatibility of marijuana use with military service.

The consumption of cannabis in Afghanistan is illegal

Historical and cultural context

Afghanistan is believed to have one of the oldest continuous cannabis cultures in the world. Cannabis indica is native to the country, and it is likely that all existing cannabis strains originated from there. The plant has been cultivated for centuries and has been used for various purposes, including medicine and recreation.

International influence

In the 1960s, the growing demand for Afghan hashish from Western nations helped forge key global trafficking networks and significant changes to cultivation methods. During this time, Western hippies and drug-trafficking entrepreneurs travelled to Afghanistan in search of high-quality hashish. The demand pushed producers to alter their methods to meet increasing demand.

Current status

Despite its long history and cultural significance, cannabis is illegal in Afghanistan. The country's complex political and economic situation, including the ongoing conflict and strict religious rule, has likely contributed to the continued prohibition of the plant.

Enforcement and penalties

The consumption, possession, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis are prohibited in Afghanistan. Violators may face arrest, fines, and jail time. The country's authorities, as well as US military personnel, take a dim view of cannabis-related activities.

Social impact

Despite the illegality of cannabis, it remains widely available in Afghanistan, especially in the provinces. The plant is consumed by locals for recreational and medicinal purposes and is also exported internationally, contributing to the country's black market economy.

Future prospects

In recent years, there have been reports of the Taliban, the de facto ruling power in Afghanistan, exploring the possibility of legalising cannabis cultivation for economic gain. However, these reports have been disputed, and the plant remains illegal as of now.

Marines have been known to smoke marijuana while on patrol in Afghanistan

It has been reported that Marines have smoked marijuana while on patrol in Afghanistan. In 2019, a documentary called "Combat Obscura" was released, containing footage of Marines smoking marijuana while on patrol in Afghanistan between 2011 and 2012. The film also shows the Marines defecating outside local homes, swearing at children, and talking about killing innocent people. This has sparked controversy and led to an investigation by the military.

The use of marijuana by active-duty soldiers is strictly forbidden in the military, even in states where it is legal for recreational or medicinal purposes. However, some veterans have argued that it is time to re-examine this policy, especially considering the potential benefits of marijuana for treating PTSD and other mental health issues that may arise from serving in a war zone.

Afghanistan has a long history of cannabis cultivation, dating back centuries. The country is known for its unique weed-growing culture, and its native cannabis strains have been protected from modern hybrids due to the country's decades of isolation. While cannabis has been illegal in Afghanistan since the 1970s, it continues to be a common drug in the country, with a vibrant weed culture that has persisted despite strict religious rules and conflict.

The traditional method of consuming cannabis in Afghanistan is by turning it into hashish, which is more concentrated and has a higher psychoactive effect. Smoking hashish is often a social activity, with specific techniques and tools such as chillums (wooden water pipes) used for consumption.

While the use of marijuana by Marines on patrol in Afghanistan is not widespread or condoned by the military, it has occurred in certain instances and has been documented in "Combat Obscura". The film provides a raw and unfiltered look at the experiences of Marines in a war zone, challenging the sanitized and heroic view often portrayed in the media.

The US military takes allegations of drug possession very seriously

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) prohibits the use, possession, and distribution of many controlled substances. All branches of the armed forces take what amounts to a zero-tolerance position on drug offences. If convicted of a drug offence, one can expect harsh consequences. A drug charge can destroy a military career and even cost someone their freedom.

There are several different types of circumstances that could trigger a military drug case, including:

• Testing positive for an illicit substance
• Refusing to supply a requested drug test sample
• Tampering with a drug test
• Getting caught in possession of illicit drugs
• Getting caught in possession of certain banned drug-related paraphernalia
• Distributing drugs in any manner, either through sale, trafficking or cultivation

The most common drug charge is that of wrongful use. While military members can, and are, sometimes charged with distribution offences, the wrongful use charge is far more common. One of the things that makes UCMJ wrongful use cases notable is that the military can bring punishment based primarily on lab tests.

In addition, the military, as a jurisdiction, is unique in that it can even bring criminal drug charges against a person based only on the results of a urine sample test.

The US Army Special Operations Command has stated that it takes all allegations of drug involvement seriously and is committed to cooperating with the Criminal Investigation Division to address these issues.

The consequences for drug offence convictions can be severe and life-altering. Some of the most common penalties include:

• Bad Conduct discharge: Drug use is often labelled as "serious misconduct". This can lead to military discharge, including a Bad Conduct or, in extreme cases, a dishonourable discharge. In addition, being discharged for a drug offence renders someone ineligible for reenlistment in any branch of the Armed Forces.
• Jail time: A guilty verdict in a civilian court could result in extended incarceration.
• Felony charge: Many drug offences are considered felonies. A felony conviction could lead to future employment and housing problems.

The US military has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drug abuse and takes allegations of drug possession very seriously. Service members found guilty of drug offences face severe consequences that can impact their military careers, freedom, and future prospects.

Cannabis is turned into hashish in Afghanistan, which is then smoked

Hashish has a long history of usage in Afghanistan. The country is believed to be the origin of all existing cannabis strains. The traditional cultivation and local consumption of cannabis in Afghanistan were common, but the development of the Hippie Trail in the 1970s brought an influx of young tourists with an appetite for cannabis.

Hashish is made by compressing and processing parts of the cannabis plant, typically focusing on flowering buds (female flowers) containing the most trichomes. The trichomes are the resinous glands that line the surface of the cannabis plants and contain valuable cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds responsible for the plant's unique effects and flavors.

The process of making hashish involves collecting the powdery resin by hand, by mechanical beating of the plants, or by submerging cannabis plants in icy water and then using small sieves to remove the trichomes, which are then dried. The remaining kief is typically pressed into "cakes" or blocks, which are then smoked in pipes, vaporized and inhaled, or mixed with marijuana in joints or tobacco in cigarettes.

Hash can be soft and pliable or stiff and brittle. It may be red, black, brown, green, yellow, or blonde in color. The consistency and appearance of hashish vary depending on the process and amount of leftover plant material. It is typically solid, though its consistency ranges from brittle to malleable.

In Afghanistan, smoking hashish is an opportunity to socialize with friends and family. One of the oldest smoking techniques is called naysha, which involves dropping a pellet of hashish into glowing embers and sucking up the vapors through a straw while keeping some water in the mouth. This technique is like turning your mouth into a bong.

Afghans also use chillums, which are wooden water pipes similar to shishas but hand-held. Many cannabis farmers have a chillum room in their homes, where they receive guests. In towns, there are also chillum bars where smokers gather and drink green tea around the pipe.

The Taliban's main sources of income include profits from poppy fields

The Taliban's primary sources of income include profits from poppy fields, which are used to grow opium poppies. Afghanistan has long been the world's leading supplier of opium, accounting for about 90% of global output. The country's illicit drug trade has been a significant boon for the Taliban, who tax the cultivation, processing, and smuggling of opium and heroin.

The Taliban's involvement in the drug trade is not new. Even during their previous rule in the 1990s, they imposed a 10% tax on every link in the drug production chain, from farmers cultivating poppy to traders moving the final product out of the country. Despite attempts by the US and the Afghan government to eradicate poppy fields and disrupt the drug trade, the Taliban has consistently profited from this lucrative business.

In recent years, the Taliban has sought to ban poppy cultivation to gain international legitimacy. However, these bans have been short-lived, as the group relies heavily on the profits from the drug trade. The income generated from poppy fields has financed the Taliban's insurgency and allowed them to carry out attacks and consolidate their power.

In addition to drug profits, the Taliban has diversified its sources of income. They tax local economies, extort money from various businesses and aid projects, and receive donations from private donors and international institutions. They have also engaged in mining and real estate ventures to bolster their financial resources.

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