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65. Evidence * of DAMODHAR DASS, Brahmin, Mafidar, Bargarh, Sambalpur District.
1. I live in Bargarh and see many people there
in course of my occupations. There are some 10
or 20 ganja smokers in Bargarh.
2. I have met with only two kinds of ganja—(1)
cal l ed s i ddhi , whi ch i s dr unk mi xed wi t h s pi ces ,
and (2) kalli ganja, which is smoked. I do not
know of charas being used at all. I have simply
heard that such a thing is used in Cuttack. I
don't know about these different kinds of ganja.
14. No kind of ganja is prepared in Bargarh.
19. As well as for smoking, ganja is used in
preparing native medicines. That is the only
other use I know of it being put to.
20. Except Brahmins and Kurans (Mahantis),
all classes smoke ganja. No particular class is
specially addicted to it. Perhaps 5 per cent. of
the people generally smoke ganja.
21. I don't know.
23. No.
24. Brahmins and Kurans chiefly; also other
classes. I think about 5 per cent. use it. Brah
- m i n s a n d K u r a n s d o n o t u s e g a n j a . T h e u s e i s
not confined to any particular locality. Of five
consumers, three would drink bhang and two would
smoke ganja. No one eats bhang except in the
form of "modak." (See answer 49.)
I think 5 per cent. of the people generally
would use either bhang or ganja, bhang being
generally confined to the higher classes, and ganja
to the lower.
25. I think the use of ganja and bhang is on
the increase. I cannot give any particular reason,
but I observe more people using it than formerly.
26. Of ganja, if 5 per cent. of the population
use it, 3 per cent. would be ( a), .2 per cent. (b),
1 per cent. (c), and , . 8 per cent . (d ) . I t h i n k t h e
proportions would be the same for bhang.
27. I cannot say that any particular class,
which uses either ganja or bhang, is more moderate
or more excessive than others.
(a) People use both bhang and ganja to im
- p r o v e t h e i r a p p e t i t e , a n d t o m a k e t h e m f e e l
strong.
(b) Habitual excess comes from the habitual
use, but is not common.
(c) No particular reason can be given for occa
- s i o n a l m o d e r a t e u s e , b u t p e r h a p s p e o p l e t a k e i t
for the sensation.
(d) Only those accustomed to the drugs can
consume them occasionally excessively. They
probably do so from vicious tastes and from liking
to get intoxicated.
28. I cannot guess.
29. Tobacco is generally mixed with ganja
when smoked. The tobacco makes it affect the
brain less. Therefore it is used. Dhatura seeds
are sometimes mixed with ganja. They have the
effect of increasing its intoxicating power and are
therefore sometimes used. With bhang, pepper,
poppy heads (the seeds of these), coriander seeds
cardamoms, sugar, and other spices are mixed.
These things are used because they cool the head.
Poppy seeds do not intoxicate much, and also tend
to cool the head. All these things are called bhang
massala. I don't know of any other ingredients.
30. Both smoking ganja and drinking bhang
are done in solitude. The habits are confined to
men. No women do so. 18 to 30 is the common
age. Most give up the habit after 30. Children
do not use the drugs.
31. The habit is easily acquired. It is not
difficult to shake off. There is not much tendency
for moderate use to become excessive.
32. The use of both drugs is looked down upon
socially. Religion forbids the use of them.
People are not outcasted who use them, but the
use is disapproved of both in the opinion of society
and by religion.
33. The use is disapproved of, because it injures
the heart and brain, i.e ., for its physical, mental
and moral effects. I do not know of the hemp
plant being worshipped, but a preparation of bhang
is offered to Mahadeo. There is no special occa
- s i o n i n w h i c h i t i s o f f e r e d .
34. There would be no particular privation in
stopping the use of either drugs, as the habit is
soon cured, and no benefit is derived from the use
of the drugs.
35. I do not think the prohibition could be en
- f o r c e d s o a s t o p r e v e n t i l l i c i t c o n s u m p t i o n . T h e r e
would be serious discontent. They might even
rise against the Government. I do not think
hemp-users would take to liquor or other drugs.
36. No.
39. I think that drinking bhang is less injurious
than smoking ganja, because the smoke which
goes inside the body affects the brain. Liquid
bhang does not go to the brain so much. I have
observed that smokers are more affected than
drinkers,
40. Both bhang and ganja are used. They pro
- d u c e a p p e t i t e a n d a r e s e d a t i v e s . T h e y a r e b o t h
also used for cattle diseases. I have used it for
cattle myself. I have heard of it being used for
men.
41. As to both bhang and ganja
—
(a) yes.
(b) yes;
(c) and (d) I don't know.
See question 27. I cannot say.
Moderate occasional is referred to.
42. Yes, because I see no bad effects.
43. Yes.
44. It refreshes him, and is not intoxicating if
too much is not taken. It makes appetite. The
effect lasts for half-a-day. There are no after
- e f f e c t s a n d n o u n e a s i n e s s . I h a v e n o t s e e n t h e i r
effects myself. I have only heard.
45. No.
46. Excessive use impairs the constitution. It
disables him from walking and makes his temper
irritable. It deranges his mind and brain. Di
- g e s t i o n i s i n j u r e d , a n d a p p e t i t e l o s t . I t m a y c a u s e
dysentery, cough and asthma. It injures the
moral sense, and induces laziness and debauchery.
It deadens the intellect and produces temporary in
- s a n i t y . S o m e t i m e s i n s a n i t y t a k e s t h e f o r m o f
quarrelling; sometimes the insane person is silent
and only mutters. There is no particular symptom
of having insanity. The symptoms may be rein
- d u c e d b y u s i n g t h e d r u g s a g a i n . I c a n n o t a n s w e r
the remaining questions. These remarks apply to
both ganja and bhang. I speak from what I have
h e a r d .
* Translation.