News:1942-01-01/Report/second-world-war-increases-cannabis-trade-in-ceylon-to-supply-foreign-soldiers
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1 January 1942
Report
Sri Lanka·
Second World War increases cannabis trade in Ceylon to supply foreign soldiers
The Second World War led to a significant increase in the cannabis trade in Sri Lanka to supply foreign soldiers stationed on the island. According to the UNODC, the wartime demand expanded cannabis use among the lower classes, especially manual labourers, establishing consumption patterns that persisted after the war. Ceylon served as a major Allied military base during the war, hosting the South East Asia Command headquarters at Kandy from 1944. The influx of foreign military personnel and associated camp followers created new demand for cannabis beyond the traditional Ayurvedic and customary use that had characterised consumption for centuries.