Drugs on the Road

In the old days you could buy chillums on the street ready prepared with a charas and tobacco mix. You bought, smoked and then threw the clay chillum onto the ground. It broke and returned to its place of origin. India has been into recycling for thousands of years.

However, once Nancy Reagan got going on her ‘just say no’ campaign in the 1980’s War on Drugs, draconian legislation was introduced in India against the possession of charas. Chillums are still for sale in shops (without the charas) and can be incredibly ornate, set with snakes or Indian gods. Prices range from $1-20.

The Italians chillum fascists went one step further and came up with designer chillums. Just as they brought their national excellance to the cultivation of charas up in the Himalayas they were also compelled to bring some class to the world of chillums. Those made by names like Franco may sell for up to $500. They’re made of glass, crystal and ceramic and the former chillums light up as you smoke. You’ll only ever see them on the Goa Trance scene though – the purists in the mountains only use clay.

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