17
54. Bhang, I am told, is used as such.
55. I am told not, unless dhatura is admixed.
55. bhang massala is used to moderate the ac-
tion of bhang. Dhatura is used to increase the
intoxicating effect of bhang.
58. The drug contracts are now sold to the
highest trustworthy bidder. Thus it may be taken
that the present price of the drugs is the highest
which a consumer will pay in the open market;
if it be raised higher, then he will go elsewhere,
i. c., will purchase or otherwise obtain illicitly.
This being so, I can propose no alteration of the
present excise administration as regards hemp
drugs only. Experience shows that intoxicants
are a necessary evil. I am not aware that hemp
drugs are worse in their effects than other intoxi-
cants, and their total prohibition will only direct pre-
sent and future consumers of intoxicants to other
drugs—very likely to drugs still worse in their
effects. If it be medically proved that hemp drugs
are specially injurious, total prohibition of the
growth of the plant by penal clauses against land
owners and with the co-operation of Native States
will alone be really effective; for anything short
of this will simply lead to illicit growth and con-
sumption.
63 and 64. No.
69. Objections are received and considered.
70. In districts contiguous with Native States,
smuggling is undoubted, e. g., in the district of
Banda where I now serve; but I believe it to be
in small quantity only by persons residing close
to the border or who go over into Native States
on business. Such persons bring over small quan-
tities, but in excess of the licit quantity for per-
sonal use. The total prevention of this without
unwarrantable espionage is impossible. The ex-
tent of this smuggling I believe to be not suffi-
ciently material as to affect the general question.
16. Evidence of MR. P. ALLEN, Officiating Magistrate and Collector, Meerut.
1. I have been Excise Officer for 18 months
in Allahabad, and 6 months in Meerut.
7. It is not cultivated in the districts of which
I have had experience.
25. I think the use of these drugs is slightly
on the increase. I have known a case where a
chandu smoker took to charas when the 'madak
chandu' shops were closed. This may be one of
many such.
35. The drugs, if prohibited, would, I think,
be consumed to some extent illicitly.
There
would be serious discontent, but not such as to
amount to a political danger, as the consumers
are not confined to particular castes, or likely to
act together. Prohibition would be followed by
recourse to (a) alcoholic stimulants, (b) and other
drugs.
36. I think not. The contract for drugs ap-
pears to be as lucrative as ever, which would hardly
be the case if alcohol were substituted for any of
these drugs.
41. 1 believe the moderate use of charas and
bhang gives staying-power under severe exertion
or exposure, and so far is beneficial.
42. I believe it to be harmless, as if it were
harmful, the effects would be much more osten-
sible than they are at present.
51 and 52. In my experience as a Magistrate,
the consumption of hemp drugs has no connec-
tion with crime in general, or of any special
character. I have never known a case in which
a crime was committed under the influence of
bhang.
54. Not in my experience.
55. I have known no such cases.
58. The present system appears to me to bring
in a large income to Government, and to in-
volve no expenditure. The evil effects resulting
from consumption are, to judge from what come
to light, so rare that they can be neglected.
59. I would merely recommend a closer super-
vision of retail shops, and greater control as to
their locality and management by District Offi-
cers. There should be some organised system
of inspection and returns of sales by contractor
and retail vendors, as at present exists in regard
to opium and liquor; at present nothing what-
vol. v.
ever is known by District or Excise Officers
beyond the natural conclusions to be drawn by a
rise or fall in price offered at the annual settle-
ment sales.
63. See answer to No. 59 above.
65. (b) In my opinion excessive consumption
of all hemp drugs is more injurious than of alcohol,
and if I considered that consumption was on the
increase, I should lighten taxation on liquor; I be-
lieve that increased consumption of the one would
be accompanied by decreased consumption of the
other, and that drunkeuness will be, in any case,
practically non-existent among the classes which
ordinarily consume liquor.
67. No. I think the 'monopoly' method the
most satisfactory.
69, The wishes of the people are not consulted.
The contractor is practically allowed to open what
shops he pleases. I do not think there is any
need of considering local public opinion. The
contractor having a monopoly, is able to charge a
high price, which is the best protection against
encouragement of consumption. As he is look-
ing after his own interests, he naturally chooses
his shops where there will be the best market.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—I have been five years in the
country.
Question. 35.
My general idea was to include
madak and chandu among the other drugs that
would be resorted to if the hemp drugs were pro-
hibited. I have no other drugs to mention.
Question 59.—I think that the administration
of hemp drugs does not receive sufficient atten-
tion in this province as compared with other branch-
es of excise. We have no returns of sales of
liquor in outstill tracts, because no direct duty is
levied. Though no duty wore levied on the hemp
drugs, the contractors could nevertheless be made
to furnish returns of sales.
Question 65.—I think the hemp drugs are tax-
ed highly enough. Extra duty would encourage
smuggling. Charas is already smuggled into
the Meerut district. A great deal of illicit charas
is used in Meerut. I suppose it comes in from
Punjab. I have not heald of smuggling through
G