Marijuana and local wisdom of Aceh people

Aceh is a province of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia which is located at the northernmost tip of the island of Sumatra. Many unique and interesting things that are very identical to this area. One of them is Aceh Province which is famous as one of the biggest producers of marijuana in Southeast Asia after Thailand, because of almost every inch of the jungles of Aceh overgrown with cannabis plants. Other than that Aceh marijuana also has the best quality in the international market. Even the problem of Aceh as the best marijuana producer has become a global issue to be discussed in the 49th session of the UN Commision on Narcotics Drugs on 13-17 March 2006 in Vienna, Austria.

The natural geographical condition of Aceh with its fertile soil, regular rainfall and natural topography of the mountains with a relatively stable climate strongly support the growth of cannabis plants well. In addition, nature Aceh also receives enough sunlight intensity and freely illuminated the slopes of the hills of Aceh and cannabis plants are highly dependent on the intensity of sunlight sufficient to grow and produce the best quality. According to a famous Aceh historian named Rusdi Sufi who is also a history lecturer at FKIP Unsyiah and UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh. There are several versions of the history of marijuana origin in Aceh.
First, there is an opinion that marijuana was brought to Aceh by European sailors. This opinion is very dominating among the public, especially in social media.
Second, there are others who believe that marijuana is a native Aceh plant. There are many versions that say the Acehnese have been since the very past using marijuana as a spice or as a medicine. Then the story goes that in the framework of trade and political competition between Dutch and Portuguese kingdoms in the Sultanate of Aceh. It is said the story of the Dutch people asked to be given marijuana in spices which will be served to the Portuguese. As a result, after consuming foods containing marijuana the Portuguese feel good and fall asleep. It was then that the Dutch could defeat their rivals. Such stories can be found in the manuscript which contains reports from seafarers who acted as emissaries or representatives of European empires such as the Netherlands, Portuguese, Spanish and French.
Third, there are explains that the Acehnese has been very past acquainted and familiar with cannabis plants. This description according to Rusdi Sufi can be found in the books ancient Malay treatment written in Arabic and Malay. Like the book 'Mujarobat' and 'Tajul Muluk'.
Fourth, there is a version that mentions Marijuana was brought to Aceh from India in the late 19th century. Presence of marijuana along with the arrival of the traders Gujarat who are trading and living in Aceh. Reportedly, marijuana was used as a flavoring dish, especially goats and other types of meat. This assumption may be true because the cuisine of Aceh is similar to the Indian cuisine model. According to Rusdi Sufi, the stories cannot be serves as evidence which can explain the origin of cannabis plants in Aceh, but at least can be used as a guide for more in-depth tracking or research about the history of marijuana in Aceh.

From a social and cultural perspective, the people of Aceh have always been using marijuana for a long time for positive things in everyday life. Almost never found the abuse of cannabis plants by the people of Aceh in the past. Cannabis is mainly used by the people of Aceh as a spice. Since ancient times marijuana is an integral part of Aceh's culinary cultural treasures. The finely ground marijuana seed, to be one of the spices to be added in processing dishes such as curried goat, duck curry, and Aceh noodles. Addition of cannabis seeds to meat-based dishes aims to make the meat more tender and add delicious flavor.
Can be concluded that the people of Aceh using cannabis seeds in cooking because in ancient times there was no glutamate-like now.

The people of Aceh in ancient times also use marijuana as one of alternative medicine. Cannabis is believed to cure some diseases. For example for Diabetes, Rheumatic and Uric Acid. The people of Aceh use the root part of cannabis plant by boiling it with water then drink it. Flower marijuana plants are also commonly used by the community by soaking in palm wine, stored in a container made of bamboo to be consumed as a tonic to add passion and vitality. Cannabis oil also used by the people of Aceh as a massage oil to heal sprains, fractures and bone loss.
In the cultural aspect of farming, Acehnese knows cannabis plants with the name Bak Lakoe or Lakoe Kupi. Bak Lakoe is the utilization of cannabis plants in general as a protective plant Laked it and as a container of water content so the ground remains moist and not broken or cracked. There is a very special thing about the utilization of cannabis plants when referring to the nickname Bak Lakoe (Husband Plant). How not to be special, when we see more clearly that the title lakoe or husband in human is a reflection of the male figure; family leaders, responsible, and protecting his family of undesirable things. Cannabis in the context of plants is like a man who has had the responsibility to be able to keep his family (other plants) out of harm's way. As a real man, Bak Lakoe or a marijuana plant believed to fertilize the soil so the plants around it can grow well. This is because Bak Lakoe or marijuana plants can supply the hydrogen element with the maximum to the ground through small grains which is at the root and also can make the soil more friable. That's how the people of Aceh treat cannabis plants from the perspective of agricultural culture.
That's some local wisdom about the cultural use of marijuana which has long been present in Aceh society. But then over time, marijuana in Aceh began to be abused by the next generation. From the beginning as spices and herbal medicines, but later started smoking like cigarettes as opium. The nickname of Aceh as the largest producer of marijuana with the best quality becomes a negative stigma for the people of Aceh in general. Therefore this paper seeks to inform to steemian friends all over the world about the culture of using marijuana positively and more civilized that has been practiced since the beginning by Aceh society in their daily life. Hopefully, this paper inspires us in seeking information about the culture of utilizing marijuana correctly and positively.