Malawi Gold is the name given to cannabis

Cannabis

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...

 originating in Malawi

Malawi

The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...

. In chichewa, it is locally known as chamba. Chamba is grown mainly in central and northern regions like Mzuzu

Mzuzu

Mzuzu is the capital of Malawi's Northern Region and is the third largest city, by population, in Malawi. The City has 128,432 residents plus 20,000 commuters with about 1.7 million people living around the outskirts of the city...

.
It is internationally renowned as one of the finest sativas from Africa. Malawi Gold is also known as one of the most potent psychoactive pure African sativas. The popularity of this strain has led to such a profound increase in marijuana tourism and economic profit in Malawi that Malawi Gold is listed as one of the three 'Big C's'in Malawian exports 'Chambo

Tilapia

Tilapia , is the common name for nearly a hundred species of cichlid fish from the tilapiine cichlid tribe. Tilapia inhabit a variety of fresh water habitats, including shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes. Historically, they have been of major importance in artisan fishing in Africa and the...

' (Tilapia fish), Chombe (tea) Chamba (Malawi Gold)'.

Product: Chamba

Malawi gold has reached notoriety as the gold standard in Marijuana. Malawi Gold is a top grade Marijuana and is setting the gold standard internationally, in quality Marijuana.

Characteristics

Its taste is described as sweet, with a hint of pineapple. It also has a smell that is likened to fruits and strong spice.

Psychoactive Properties

The effects of this marijuana is very psychoactive and long lasting. Although potency mainly has its roots in growing conditions such as; nutrients, care, competition for light/rootspace with other plants and post harvest techniques, the genetics play a large role in the potency that is possible.
The combination of psychoactive constituents is unique within every strain of cannabis(sometimes with every different seed of the same strain), based on how inbred the genetic line is. The more inbreeding, the more stabilised a set of characteristics is, e.g., the psychoactive properties.

Cultivation

The United Nations Development Assistance Framework report that in the late 1990s, estimated that up to 385000 acres (1,558 km²) in the country were devoted to the cultivation of marijuana.
In Malawi, the marijuana buds are cured after being tightly bound in banana or maize leaves.

International Market

Its quality has led it to out perform marijuana grown in other countries in terms of sales in each market it is introduced in.
The Majority of Malawi Gold has flooded the markets in Kenya, Tanzania, and many other locales.
For South Africa, it has led to an increase in marijuana tourism from holiday makers seeking Malawi gold that is being sold in its borders.
Until recently, it was the most popular type of Marijuana in Holland.

Notoriety

For many Marijuana smokers, Malawi gold has reached almost a cult status. There are websites and blogs which have been dedicated to the praise of chamba. In many cases, it has become the 'Cuban Cigar' of weed.

Marijuana Tourism

Malawi gains a significant amount of its tourism from the marijuana trade. Albeit illegal, the plant grows in the wild in many areas, which has made it hard to control. In the lake areas, many tourists purchase the drug and smoke it in the privacy of their hotel rooms or homes.

Medicinal Usage

Rastafarians in Malawi claim medicinal use of the chamba leaves.
A research study entitled, "patients' Perceptions of Chamba (marijuana) Use in Malawi" was conducted in Zomba Mental Hospital was published in the International Journal of the Addictions in 1998. It had it implications for the development of treatment and prevention programs for chamba users in Malawi.

Religious Usage

Malawian Rastafarians have been using Marijuana as part of their spiritual awakening for years. The Rastafarians cite religious importance in the use of the plant.

Recreational Use

Malawians have been using Chamba for recreational use for generations. The use of Chamba is particularly popular along the lake side. Many Malawians claim that Chamba helps them to relax and concentrate. Local students use Chamba to prevent pre-exam jitters. Police raids are common however recreational use of ganja remains unabated.

Cooking and culinary Usage

Creative use of the drug has developed recipes, largely in the form of baked goods, that incorporate the drug.

Legal Issues concerning usage

Although Malawi Gold is illegal in Malawi, it is estimated to be the largest unofficial export. Malawian economists group the illegal export as one of the three 'Big C's'in Malawian exports Chambo (fish), Chombe (tea) Chamba (Malawi Gold)'. The growth in sales means that there are growers cultivating the drug illegally in Malawi due to the large profits they gain from its sales.

Campaign to Legalize Malawi Gold

Rastafarians in Malawi have gone to court to demand their right to smoke marijuana.

In 2000, the government briefly explored the possible legalization of Indian hemp, despite police warnings of potential abuse by cannabis growers. This was championed in parliament by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Joe Manduwa

Joe Manduwa

Joe Manduwa was born in 1960 in Chimbalanga Village under Traditional Authority Dambe in Neno, Central Region, Malawi. He served as a Deputy Minister and Member of Parliament of Malawi. He is a Malawian politician and former Member of parliament for Mwanza East . He was a Member of parliament under...

 who argued that the plant could be a valuable alternative to tobacco. The idea was supported by member of parliament and medical doctor, Hetherwick Ntaba

Hetherwick Ntaba

Dr. Hetherwick Ntaba is a Malawian medical doctor and politician, currently the Publicity Secretary of the Democratic Progressive Party . Ntaba was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1994. Later, he was Secretary-General of the DPP.-References:...

who argued that it is non-addictive.

External links

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=181lPZfuh08
• http://www.goldenseed.co.uk/sm/malawigold.html
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/920052.stm
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/708649.stm
• http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/17/world/marijuana-cultivation-increases-in-malawi.html
• 12 countries 1 plant - Malawi: travel review of Malawi Gold and Malawi Black, by Franco from the Greenhouse Seed Company