Glory of Afghan Hemp
The first Afghan cannabis seeds were imported from Afghanistan to the Netherlands in the mid-70s and in the following years its popularity in Europe grew. Afghanistan became one of the main suppliers of cannabis genetics and many growers, enthusiasts, and professionals went to Afghanistan to obtain new cannabis varieties.
Afghan cannabis seeds are currently very popular worldwide because they can flower faster and after about 7-8 weeks the plant is ready for harvest. Afghan cannabis is therefore very popular for indoor cultivation. Plants usually reach a height between 100 to 110 cm. This variety has a very strong effect and a high proportion of "tetrahydrocannabinol".
History of Cannabis from Afghanistan
Cannabis cultivation has a very long tradition in Afghanistan. Inhabitants have been growing it for thousands of years, and its practical use is deeply rooted in the culture of this country.
Famous cannabis botanist Robert Connell Clarke classifies Afghan cannabis varieties as Indian cannabis, which was also adopted by most scientific literature in the past. To make it not too simple, some growers bring Afghan strains closer to ruderal cannabis, although the wild type of Afghan cannabis usually has a higher cannabinoid content.
Perhaps even more confusing is the fact that so-called "afghanica" often exhibits many traits usually associated with Indian varieties. Leaves are usually wide, dark green with occasional purple reflections during flowering. High proportion of THC, but also high content of substances like CBD and CBN leads to sedative effects when used. Adult plants are often short and rarely exceed two meters in height.
Popular Afghan Kush Strain
Found in the heart of the Hindu Kush mountains, a very rich source of cannabis resin. Afghan Kush is a variety with very intoxicating effects and an intense feeling of bodily euphoria. For some weekend smokers, it may be "a bit too much" to handle, but its high THC content is an ideal factor mainly for its medical use.
It also acts as an excellent appetite stimulator and has extensive analgesic properties (pain relief). It provides initially mild energy support, but overall is incredibly relaxing.
Appearance: Afghan Kush has an almost endless number of brown-orange hairs in the final flowering phase, which helps to create an overall orange-brown coloration of the plant.
Smell and Taste: Afghan Kush smells like a strong mix of mango and orange with hints of light mustiness. This variety tastes very similar to how it smells, which is very positive.
Effects: Afghan Kush is usually more suitable for later evening hours. If you manage to get the first mild energetic kick, you will certainly lose it within about 15-20 minutes when its full sedative effects manifest.
Additional Information: Afghan Kush contains 16.58% 9-THC (9-Tetrahydrocannabinol), 0.23% CBD, and 0.59% CBN.
Afghan Cannabis Industry
Afghanistan has always been among the world's top hashish producers for many centuries. Since 2010, it has maintained its primacy as the world's largest hashish producer. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published analyses estimating up to 24,000 hectares of land are used annually in Afghanistan for growing Afghan cannabis plants. However, this is certainly not the largest area dedicated to cannabis cultivation worldwide.
For example, in Morocco, it is approximately twice as much (47,000 hectares), but the abundant resin production of Afghan cannabis and the rich harvest of experienced Afghan farmers mean a higher total yield for Afghanistan. According to UNODC data, Afghan farmers achieve yields of up to 145 kilograms of hashish per hectare of cannabis-planted land, while in Morocco it is approximately 40 kg per hectare.
Since 2008, Afghan farmers' attention has shifted from opium production to cannabis. For many rural Afghan inhabitants, cannabis cultivation is their only source of income. Production costs for marijuana are lower than for opium, and farmers face relatively smaller penalties. On the contrary, the net profit is very lucrative, as there is an increasing demand for Afghan cannabis.
Cannabis Policy in Afghanistan
Despite the radical Islamic ban on drug use, there is a subculture of supporters of both opium and cannabis use. Taliban radical units often brutally suppressed drug production and also penalized its use among the population. However, the profits from hashish production actually financed such terrorist groups.
After the US intervention in Afghanistan, the Pentagon issued a list of fifty Afghan drug lords connected to Taliban leadership and simultaneously issued an order for their immediate detention. However, the United States' attention has so far focused mainly on the production of the more dangerous opium, which leads to increased cannabis production.