16
people who make a speciality of preparing the
respective classes of drugs in the districts from
which the said local dealers export, viz., Khandwa,
Bahraich, etc.
18. The best quality of ganja is here known as
baluchar. It is said not to spoil by keeping.
Other varieties are said to be useless after three
years. With care they keep their quality for one
year. The cause of deterioration is moisture.
Any measures for keeping the drug dry will pre-
vent deterioration.
The amount of ganja, charas and bhang import-
ed into this district last year was—
M. S. C. M.
S.
C.
M. S. C.
129 15 0
3 38 12
222 39 12
respectively.
19. Ganja and charas are used only for smok-
ing.
20. Brahmans avoid charas and ganja. The
use of these drugs in places is held in disrepute
among other high castes, e.g., Chhatri; but the
consumer of them does not lose caste. In this
district all classes use charas and bhang; Goshains
and fakirs almost invariably. Thakurs are said to
be the most numerous smoking class in Banda.
Perhaps some 20 per cent. of these are smokers.
21. Baluchar is preferred, but is very expensive;
chur is principally used here
22. Foreign charas, imported from Kabul, is
used here.
24. Brahmans use bhang largely. They drink
it. The local contractors say other classes rarely
take it.
25. The drug contract at the district excise auc-
tion has fetched Rs. 5,281, Rs. 5,913, and Rs.
6,000, respectively, in the last three years.
26. By far the greater number are habitual
moderate consumers.
27. Natives prefer to smoke in company. I
have ascertained specific instances in which a
smoker of ganja has started the same habit in
others who come to sit and smoke with him.
28. Ganja—(a) I anna worth (2 tolas).
(b) 2 to 3 annas worth.
Bhang—(a) One pice worth (2 tolas).
(b) 2 pice worth.
Charas—(a) I anna worth (½ tola).
(b) 2 annas worth.
But charas is not very much in use here.
29. Bhang.—Excessive consumers always mix
seeds of dhatura to increase the intoxication pro-
duced; in some localities it is boiled in copper
vessels for the same purpose; but bhang is not
largely consumed here. The local spice sellers sell
bhang massala by the name of thandai. It con-
tains lettuce, rose flower, cucumber seeds, black
pepper, cardamom, water lily flower, fennel, khurfa
seeds, kasni seeds, almonds, coriander, and gulkha-
ria or gushal flowers.
30. The drugs are usually consumed in com-
pany, except perhaps by beginners. Ganja and
charas are never used by females. Bhang very
rarely is given to children; it is sometimes used
as a digestive and on festivals.
31. I am told the habit is easily formed and
difficult to leave.
32. Bhang is used on the occasion of the Shiv-
ratri festival in the mouth of Phagun (February).
Bhang is offered to Shiva on this occasion, and
the worshippers partake temperately. Like other
customs, this appears to be regarded as essential,
and even children present taste the drug; but the
use of it on this occasion is temperate, and not
likely to lead to the formation of the habit.
Excessive consumers, of course, employ the occa-
sion to exceed.
33. The moderate use of bhang is not held in
disrepute; the use of charas and ganja is. The
prejudice in the latter case is social and not
religious.
34. Prohibition of the drug would be a serious
privation to the habitual consumers.
35. The success of a measure prohibiting the
use of these drugs depends on whether the sponta-
neous growth of the plants can be stamped out
thoroughly, and whether the prohibition can be
extended to Native States within the area of
British India. Without this the drugs would
certainly be consumed illicitly. The best method
would be the infliction of rigorous penalties on the
zamindars of villages within whose area plants
are discovered, and who have not reported the
same. The prohibition would cause serious dis-
content among consumers; but would not amount
to a political danger. It would be followed al-
most certainly by a recourse to alcoholic stimu-
lants or other drugs, such as dhatura.
36. I do not think there are good grounds for
considering that alcohol is being substituted for
these drugs.
37. Charas is said to be stronger than ganja,
but the effects cœteris paribus are the same.
38. No, it depends on the strength and the
amount taken only.
39. Ganja and charas, as above mentioned, are
smoked only; but sometimes ganja leaves and
seeds are mixed with bhang as an adulteration, and
these, when drunk with the bhang, produce head-
ache.
41. (a) All three drugs are occasionally used to
stimulate the appetite like other intoxicants.
Whether or not intoxicants so taken do harm or
good is a question for experts.
(b) Kahars use ganja and charas to increase
their nerve power under fatigue. Their use in
this way is temporarily beneficial only.
(c) Many natives regard bhang as a useful
febrifuge. I allude to the moderate occasional
use.
42. Bhang is a mild stimulant, and the moder-
ate use of it is harmless.
43. Yes.
44. Ganja and charas have an immediate effect
on the habitual consumers. It is refreshing; it
produces slight intoxication. It does not allay
hunger but the reverse; it creates appetite; the
effect lasts about half an hour; the want of
subsequent gratification is felt.
47 and 48. I am told not.
49. Bhang is used as an aphrodisiac. It is
used by prostitutes. It is not more injurious as
such than ordinarily. It is not said to lead to im-
potence.
50. The same applies.
51. I am told not.
53. I know of no special cases; but am told
ganja and charas lead to quarrels and violence.
Bhang is slower in its action.