103
27. From jogis, Vaishnavas, and lower classes.
Some say that the intoxication from ganja has
the effect of concentrating the mind, i.e., the mind
takes the same direction as the persons using it
wishes. I therefore think that, as the jogis and
Vaishnavas always wish to devote themselves
towards God, with a fixed mind, they use it with
that object: that some idlers among the lower
class people use it with the object of diverting
their mind from the household business; and that
the men of business use it with the object of
performing a large amount of their ordinary
duties.
28. In this country six pice worth ganja is
sufficient for a moderate consumer, and two annas
for an excessive consumer.
29. (a) Ordinarily tobacco is mixed with the
ganja for smoking.
(b) Some men, in order to get themselves
more intoxicated, smoke ganja, having mixed
dhatura seed and keskar (or pistil) of champa
flower with it. The only article sold for being
mixed with the ganja is tobacco.
30. It is used in large quantities in company
and at conspicuous places. It is confined both to
the male sex and to the grown up persons. It
is not used by the children.
31. Yes; when by bad company it is used for
some days. When the habit is formed, it is
difficult to break it of, and it is natural for the
moderate habit to gradually develop into the
excessive.
32. It being the social custom among the jogis
and Vaishnavas, they are in the habit of using it;
but religion has no connection with it. In my
opinion its use is not very essential. It is used
throughout by some in moderation and by some
in excess.
When the habit of using it is formed, it pro
- d u c e s i n s o m e c a s e s v a r i o u s k i n d s o f d i s e a s e s
(such as lung and head diseases) in time.
33. These drugs are generally regarded as
injurious. There is no opinion (social or reli
- g i o u s ) r e g a r d i n g i t . A s i t i n j u r e s t h e b o d y a n d ,
owing to its narcotic quality, induces the consum
- e r s t o c o m m i t o t h e r b a d a c t s , i t i s h a t e d . W e
hear that the people of Bikanir, Malacca, Siam,
etc., and particularly Marwaris, worship this
plant.
34. If they should suddenly give up its use,
they may be attacked by various diseases, i. e.,
they would not have sleep at night; joints, etc.,
of their bodies would ache; and sighing, swelling
of belly, unsoundness of mind, indigestion, and
continuous anger would follow. All these are
generally produced by ganja, bhang, and charas.
35. If the use be prohibited at once, the con
- s u m e r s w o u l d b e p u t t o c o n s i d e r a b l e d i f f i c u l t y .
It would be improper to consume illicitly. If it
is proposed to prohibit its use, first of all, the
event of leasing out the monopoly shall have to
be gradually lessened. If its use be prohibited
at once, the consumers would, no doubt, be dis
-contented, and consequently a political danger is
likely to arise. Yes, the prohibition would be
followed by recourse to alcoholic stimulants and
other drugs; but as the jogis, Vaishnavas, and
Brahmins in India hate liquor, and do not use
other drugs, I think it would be difficult to have
recourse to them at once.
36. I have heard that the lower class people,
who use ganja, use alcoholic stimulants when
ganja is not procurable, but what quantity they
use I cannot say.
37. As charas is not in use in this part of the
country, I am not in a position to explain the
difference.
38. Only flat ganja is used in this part of the
country; but as the round and chug ganja are
not in use, I am unable to explain what different
effects they have.
39. The smoking of ganja is less expensive
than any other preparation.
40. The baids [or native physicians] of this
part of the country use ganja on account of its
medicinal quality. They also prescribe it, mixed
with other medicines, in cases of bowel com
- p l a i n t s o f c o w s , e t c .
41. It is observed in the baid Shaster that
ganja is mixed with the medicines. So it appears
to have some effect, because, had it not been the
case, the baids would not have used it.
(a) The people say that ganja has some diges
- t i v e e f f e c t , a n d t h o s e w h o u s e i t s a y t h a t t h e y f e e l
more appetite.
( b) In case of severe exertion or exposure relief
can be obtained from ganja owing to its narcotic
quality.
(c) We hear that in unhealthy tracts ganja
is used in sufficient quantities
.
The people of almost all classes generally use it
for the above purposes.
42. Out of these drugs the moderate use of
ganja is not likely to do any harm. As the
Indian baids use ganja, having mixed it with
medicines, it appears that its moderate use does
not do any harm.
43. As the people of all classes are in the habit
of using it (ganja) in our country, none of them
are offensive to their neighbours or any one else.
44. The moderate use may affect the health of
the habitual consumer, owing to its small degree
of intoxication. It is refreshing. It produces
intoxication. It does not allay hunger. It
creates appetite. The effect lasts for three or
four hours. The consumer feels unwell after the
intoxication is over. Yes, the want of subse
-quent gratification produces longing and uneasi
- n e s s , a n d s o t h e b o d y b e c o m e s u n h e a l t h y .
45. The habitual moderate use of this only
deranges the mind, and does not produce any
physical or moral injury. When the mind is
deranged it injures the digestive power and causes
loss of appetite.
It does not cause dysentery or bronchitis. It
causes asthma in some cases in old age.
It impairs the moral sense, and induces laziness,
habits of immorality and debauchery.
It deadens the intellect and produces insanity.
When it produces insanity, he who is affected by
it is always inclined to do what he is generally
addicted to, but it is temporary, No symptoms
of insanity appear as before if the drug is used
after liberation from restraint. No one recom
- e n d s t h a t p e r s o n s o f u n s o u n d m i n d , w h o n e v e r
use ganja, should use it. I would not recommend
the use of ganja by persons suffering from
mental anxiety or brain disease to obtain relief.
The intellectual power of a man of weak in
- t e l l e c t c a n n o t b e i n c r e a s e d b y t h e u s e o f t h e s e
drugs.
46. The habitual excessive use results in brain
diseases and commission of thefts, dacoities, de
- b a u c h e r i e s , e t c . , a n d p r o d u c e s i n s a n i t y .