This Central Prohibition of Ganja-Charas by Legislation is based on Ignorance - in reality, the House of Commons sent a Royal Hemp Drug Commission here in the early 1900s to examine widespread use of these herbs in India - something unknown in Britain, where alcohol has always been the norm. This commission was asked to look into hemp drugs on three counts: whether they cause madness; whether they cause criminal behaviour; and whether they cause physical damage. The 12-volume report included thousands of "field visits" as well as the examination of thousands of "witnesses," is housed presently at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies in Simla. It exonerated hemp drugs on all three counts. The British "studied the happiness" of their foreign subjects and did not interfere. They let us be happy in our own way.
The Government of Centralised India passed the Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances Act in the 1980s - because of foreign pressure: the USSA had launched its international "war on drugs," and the UN was in support. Who the fuck are they? But our Central State capitulated. Sovereignty? The botanical name of this Holy Herb is cannabis indica - and our The State would rather we buy the Tata Indica!
During my stint with The Economic Times (1998-2002) I conducted a debate on the issue of cannabis legalisation - and had the chief of the Narcotics Control Bureau opposite the Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. The teacher of psychiatry reported that "there is no medical reason why the traditional bhang ki thandai should not be sold as an alternative to alcohol." The narco cop wrote that "ganja smokers are not trustworthy." Are cops trustworthy?
No siree. I have been all over India - including the dev-bhoomi north of Haridwar, and I have smoked with sadhus, all of whom have complained bitterly about the Prohibition of Ganja-Charas. In all the pilgrim towns of the area, alcohol, meat, fish and eggs are unavailable - by Custom. Yet, here, smoking is chillum in the open is perfectly respectable. This shows that this herb is a part of our Ancient Customs and Traditions, and that New Law - which is Legislation - ought not be allowed to interfere.
This is not a prohibition based on our ancient culture. Rather, it is based on the American culture of alcohol.
This is not Sovereignty.
Rather, this is bowing to dictates of foreign powers..
This is Corrupt.
This is Ignorant.
This is Despotism.
Shoot Every Sheriff!
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