Malana Cream Hash or Malana Cream or simply Malana Charas, goes by the name black gold outside. The fact that Malana village cultivates Hash is the reason why many travellers come sniffing here.
The ‘hand-rubbed’ Malana Cream Hash has been widely recognized for its quality worldwide. Sure, visit Malana village, but do not consume it. The fun you’re trying to have by getting high will be blown off if the cops put you behind bars.
Malana Cream Hash: Why Does It Attract So Many Travellers
Malana Cream Hash is derived from Cannabis plants grown on the mountain slopes of Malana village of Parvati Valley in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh
Its popularity can be estimated by the fact that the Cannabis menus in a country like Amsterdam, list and sell Malana Cream at as high as 250 USD per tola (1 tola = 11.4 gms).
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TRAVELLERS’ BEWARE! No matter, how many travellers visit Malana for the black gold, the truth is that it is COMPLETELY BANNED in India as per the NDPS or Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Under this Act, you can neither produce, manufacture, cultivate, possess, sell, purchase, transport, store, and/or consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance, including of course the Malana Cream Hash. |
How Is Malana Cream Hash Identified?
Malana Cream Hash has some very unique features. These make it easy to identify.
| Colour
Very dark (almost black) in colour. |
| Texture
Shiny and soft because of high oil content |
| Smell
Slightly Pepperminty odour with a burnt charcoal smell |
| Taste
Minty and charred |
What’s so Different about Malana Cream Grown in Malana Village ?
Malana cream hash has won the Best Hashish title twice till now. One was won in 1994 and the other in 1996. This was won at High Times Magazine’s Cannabis Cup.
Malana Cream is considered to be the best hashish, thanks to the optimum growing conditions.
The plants have adapted to the climate and become rain and wind-resistant. The heirloom varieties (grown traditionally for generations) of Cannabis grown in Malana village naturally contain a high amount of resin.
This makes the strain of Marijuana grown here all the more potent.
The natives have been growing the Cannabis plant religiously for ages. Since it is the only crop grown here and the only source of income, people take its cultivation very seriously. The result of all this is an ultra-fine quality product.
Some of the distinguishing features of Malana Cream Hash are:
| THC content
Tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary active component in Cannabis. This is the ingredient that gives the person the so-called ‘high’. The level of this THC determines the quality of the hash and its high. It has been found that the THC content in Malana cream hash can be anywhere between 30% and 40%. This is way higher than normal Marijuana, whose THC content is not more than 8% |
| Oil Content
Another distinguishing feature that makes Malana Cream Hash so good is the oil content. The more the oil, the better is the quality. In fact, it has one of the highest oil contents among all other variants. |
| Taste
Malana Cream hash has a pepperminty flavour which makes it all the more special. |
| High Type
The high one gets after consuming Malana Cream is very different from normal Marijuana. While normal ones make a person slow and lazy, fans believe that Malana Cream Hash makes them more active and ecstatic. Also, unlike other Marijuana strains, Malana Cream does not hit the throat. |
What is the Cost of Malana Cream Hash?
Hash of Malana is extremely expensive. This is one reason why people try to smuggle it out and sell it at even higher price.
The average cost of Malana charas ranges from 2.5 lakh INR to 3 lakh INR a kg.
Malana Cream’s cost in Kasol can range anywhere between USD 15 and USD 25. The cost is higher in places outside Malana and Kasol.
Remember, there is more than one way to get intoxicated. If you want to transcend yourself to the next level, the beauty of hills can do the trick.
Why is Malana Cream Hash so Expensive?
Its expensive, because its considered as some of the finest. in the world. The reason for it being of good quality are
- Its very high in oil. This makes it unique.
- Malana Cream Hash is extremely high in THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). This is the deciding chemical for high-quality hashish.
- This variety grows very well in the region. Therefore, it stays fresh.
A lot of people argue about the benefits of marijuana, but in some countries there are legal ways to do it.
So, again, I would urge you to not indulge in risky behaviours like consuming or transporting it while you’re here.
Malana Village: The Home to the ‘Illegal’ Black Gold
Lying in the lap of Parvati Valley, Malana village is the home to Malana Cream. Other than the hash, the sheer beauty, history and unique traditions are some spects that interest many travellers from far and wide each year.
The Malana region draws its major source of revenue from the Malana cream. The hash is a strain of Cannabis with high oil content and an insanely rich aroma.
The Malana cream hash is made using the ‘hand rolling’ method and usually, this is done by the villagers.
Origins of Malana Cream
It is believed that in the 1970s some foreigners came to Malana and taught the villagers the ‘hand-rubbed’ technique of producing Malana cream. They taught the villagers how to make the hash more suitable for the international market.
There has been no looking back since then. Over the years, Malana cream hash has drawn popularity as one of the best in the world.
This is a leaflet from a Cannabis plant. The resin of this plant is from where the Malana Cream is prepared. This plant naturally grows throughout the Malana Village. It can be seen from a distance growing at high cliffs.
Are Travelers Allowed to Smoke Malana Cream Hash in the Region?
Anyone going to the mountains is expected to return with some Malana cream hash. It is the most sought-after souvenir next to chocolates.
However, do not indulge in their consumption or transport. Reason being that there is imprisonment of up to ten years in jail for possession, transport and use of such substances in India.
This is also one of the main reasons why the village has now forbidden travellers to live inside. Many hippies came flocking into Malana and in many ways disrupted the Malanis (native people of Malana) way of being.
After having turned Kasol into a hippie town with trippy trance and psychedelia oozing out of its chambers, the same was starting to happen in Malana.
Since Malana is a village that lives by its own set of customs and rituals, this disruption was sacrilegious. Their deity Jamlu Rishi banned the village from allowing travellers to rent out their property.
If you wish to stay, you can camp or rent a Hotel at Kasol.
How Is Malana Cream Hash Consumed?
In some parts of the world, it is legal to consume Cannabis. Marijuana lovers in those nations have developed some ways to consume it.
Smoking Malana Cream Hash
Supposedly there are a number of fun ways by which Malana cream hash can be smoked. But not in India of course:
- Spliff: Hash is rolled and smoked
- Bottle Hits: Involves the use of empty bottles
- Hot Knives: Using two knives
- Glass Tee Pee: Using straws and glass jars
- Sketchy Pole: Smoked using a straw or a hollow pen
Even though consuming Malana Cream is completely banned in India, there are travellers who don’t care about the law and consume it in the form of paper rolls and other forms. Please do not pursue this because it can lead you behind bars for a minimum of 10 years.
Without Smoking
Consumption of Malana cream hash can be done in ways other than smoking:
- Malana cream hash in used on candy bars and chocolates
- Its added to yoghurt.
- Its used in vaporizers
Negative Effects of Malana Cream Hash on Himachal
The fact that Malana cream is completely banned in Himachal (as in the rest of India) does not deter the locals from selling it. They look for new ways each day to sell it to visitors. This, in turn, has dangerous consequences for the people.
In recent times there have been reports of missing travellers from the region. The main reason cited for this is the unethical trade-off between the dealers of Malana cream hash and the consumers.
Malana is a lovely place to visit. The culture is different from the rest of the world.
Be a part of the unique experience. Indulging in the consumption of Malana cream hash will only land you in trouble. So until it is legal in India, stay away from it. Just enjoy the trip.
Happy wayfaring 🙂