Helmand, Lashkar Gah Afghanistan
Landrace Cannabis
Helmand province in Afghanistan is known for its high production of opium poppies, which are used to produce heroin. However, it is also a major producer of Hashish, until 2021. Now the disallowance has made the cultivation highly challenging from 2022.
Helmand province has a long and complex history that dates back to ancient times. It has been inhabited by various groups, including the Aryans, the Greeks, the Arabs, and the Mongols. In the 7th century, it was part of the Islamic Caliphate, and in the 16th century, it was incorporated into the Safavid Empire. During the 19th century, it was ruled by the British and became a major center of opium production.
In more recent times, Helmand province has been a center of conflict during the Soviet Afghan War, the civil war in the 1990s, and the ongoing War in Afghanistan. The city of Lashkar Gah has been the site of intense fighting between Taliban forces and Afghan government forces until the new regime came into power.
Helmand And Cannabis Landrace
This region has been heavily impacted by cannabis restrictions imposed by the Taliban, largely due to its proximity to the Iranian border.As a result, commercial cultivation came to a complete halt for a year. However, reports have surfaced of small-scale backyard cultivation persisting in these areas which not as a step toward commercial production but driven by personal preference and consumption.
Located in the southwestern part of Afghanistan, Helmand province is a region with a warm climate and arid soil. The climate in this region is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Despite the harsh climatic conditions, the region is home to one of the potent Cannabis landrace populations that are able to thrive and complete their life cycle.
One of the most prominent features of the Landrace Cannabis plants in Helmand is their generous height, stacked structure, and chunky inflorescence with good trichome production. The plants here are known for their excellent Cold tolerance, which is why the seeds collected were mainly from the best cold-tolerant plants in the month of November.
The Crown jewel phenotype was carefully selected for a combination of desirable traits beyond just its coloration. The stacked branching with dense flowers makes it a high yield potential, while the uniformity of the flowers along the branches could make for an attractive and marketable product. The leaf to flower ratio also dictates efficient use of resources and potentially easier trimming and processing. It’s not uncommon for breeders to select for multiple traits when developing new cultivars, and it seems like the Crown jewel phenotype is a particularly promising starting point.
The Profile of Lashkar Gah
The terpene profile of the Crown Jewel phenotype is very unique and potent. The presence of terpenes like floor cleaner, gasoline, and spoiled dairy makes a strong chemical and pungent aroma, which can be overwhelming for some growers or consumers.However, it’s important to note that terpene profiles can vary widely between different cannabis cultivars, and what might be overwhelming for some may be highly desirable for others.
The fact that the Crown Jewel phenotype was selected from the southern Afghanistan landrace suggests that it has been adapted to thrive in that particular environment, and its unique terpene profile may be a result of its adaptation to local conditions. Breeders often select for traits that are well-suited to their specific environment or intended use, and it seems like the Lashkar Gah selection was a particularly successful example of this practice.
Hashish
Lashkar Gah Hashish has a potent medicinal effect, with deep relaxation and appetite stimulation, as well as the common effect of dry mouth. The smooth taste with nutty and subtle melon flavors makes it a highly enjoyable nigh time medicine to consume and the oily texture and rich aroma indicate a high concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes.Photos of Lashkar Gah Crop
Summing it up
The population from which we made our selections is truly exceptional and rare to find elsewhere in the parent generation. Even though the camera quality at that time wasn’t up to modern standards, it captured plants loaded with dense trichomes and stunning coloration, ranging from deep red
to jet black, even matte black 
with dry textured resin. These are the ultimate hash plants from a region with a deep-rooted hashish tradition.The terpene profiles in our selections are unique and bold, with aromas ranging from nutty, earthy, and gassy to pungent garlic-like notes, a true treasure from the historical hash-producing lands of Helmand.
