Ganja, bhang keep Holi spirits high

Hyderabad: While the observance of Holi varies from community to  region, the consumption of bhang is common in many Indian homes.

This contraband drug takes many forms, ranging from simple pills, or golis created by mixing the cannabis with water, to sweet bhang lassis, where the leaves are ground and added to heavy milk with almonds, sugar, and other flavorings.

The drug can also be packed into Indian ‘mithai’, or sweets made with nuts and condensed milk, and decorated with silver and gold edible foil. In its diluted form, bhang offers a mild buzz or high. Consuming it in larger quantities is akin to smoking weed.

In view of the festival, to curb ganja sales, in accordance with instructions given  by C. Vivekananda Reddy, Deputy Commissioner of the Excise Department, the Enforcement teams kept special vigilance on the sales of delicacies mixed with bhang and ganja at the  Dhoolpet and Begum Bazar area.

“On Thursday, Sanday Bhulluwale Shivlalingh, a 46- year-old kulfi maker, was caught by the Excise Department for mixing ganja with kulfi ice cream, with an intention to sell the same for the Holi festival”, said the Enforcement officer of the Excise department and  the Assistant Excise Superintendent, N. Anji Reddy.

The officials, who apprehended him on Thursday morning, seized 3 kgs of wet ganja, 4 kgs of powdered ganja and 3.55 kgs of dry weed from his possession, which he had concealed at his place in Dhoolpet to mix with kulfi and rabdi sweet.

“Several men approach Dhoolpet during the festival to find bhang, which is sold in the form of small, cake-like sweets for '50 each. The instruction is given to customers to share each piece among five to six people for a mild high.”said a private employee from Secunderabad, who purchased the ‘drugged sweet’ last year for Holi.