315
All that Government has to do is to see that it rea-
lises all the duty it should from drugs. No fur-
ther interference is sound.
I do not think that there is any other matter on
which I should like to be specially heard. But I
shall put my views on record in answer to the series
of questions and submit them as soon as possible;
and I shall enter anything I may have omitted.
234. Evidence of MUNSHI RAJKISHORE, Kayasth, Pleader, Jaunpur.
1. I am a pleader and Municipal Commissioner,
and therefore I have had the opportunity of obtain-
ing the information from men addicted to different
sorts of hemp drugs in regard to which my answers
are framed.
2. Three sorts of hemp drugs are known in this
district, viz., ganja, baluchar, pathar and biarra;
the first two are kept under a piece of stone before
they are used.
Bhang or sabzi is drunk by those who do not
generally use liquor.
3. In Jaunpur ganja is not sown, but it grows
spontaneously, though not abundantly.
5. Only rainfall is required, and not a good soil.
6. There is not any fixed rule; just as the seed
falls dense or scattered.
7. In Jaunpur it is nowhere sown.
8. There is no area under cultivation; therefore
there could be neither increase nor decrease.
10. There is no cultivation of hemp drugs here.
12. Yes; it is specially cultivated in the districts
of Dinapur, Patna, and Nasik. Baluchar in the
above places, pathar is cultivated in Nagpur and
Bombay, and biarra in Nepal.
13. Yes; it is restricted, because license is given
to thikadars. No; it is nowhere impossible.
14. No.
16. No; it is generally purchased. Yes; it can
be prepared from hemp, wherever it is grown.
18. Yes; by keeping they deteriorate, and after
one year they are reduced in quality and lose their
effect. It keeps good for one year only. Dryness
is the cause of deterioration.
19. Yes; they are used for smoking only.
20. Charas is smoked in the city only and not
in villages.
23. Bhang is ever used for drinking only.
24. Hindus generally drink bhang, and ganja is
used by Hindus and low class Muhammadans.
25. The use of bhang is on the increase because
wine is becoming dearer and dearer.
27. Habitual moderate consumers are Hindus
generally.
29. Tobacco is generally mixed with ganja.
Badam and cardamom are sold for the use of
bhang.
30. No; it is not usual for children to consume
any of these drugs.
31. Yes; there is a tendency for the moderate
habit to develop into the excessive.
32. (a) Among the Hindus there is a holiday
named Holi. On this occasion Hindus generally
drink bhang, eat majun made of bhang (it is a sort
of sweetmeat), and smoke ganja.
(b) Both the above drugs are consumed more
than usual on this occasion. On Holi day Hindus
eat, drink and be merry. Yes; the use of drugs
is regarded as essential in India.
(c) It is excessive.
(d) No; it is not likely to lead to the formation
of a habit, nor injurious.
33. The consumption of these drugs is generally
not regarded in a bad sense on the day alluded to
above. There is a Hindu public opinion (religious)
in regard to the practice, for on Serrad day bhang
is offered to Mahadeo with many other things. In
Jaunpur district there is no custom of worshipping
the hemp plant on any occasion, except that bhang
is offered to Mahadeo on Sheoratri day.
34. No; it would not be a serious privation to
any class to forego the consumption of the drug
they use.
35. Yes; it would bo feasible to prohibit the use
of all these drugs. No; it would not be consumed
illicitly. The prohibition could be very easily en-
forced by a legislative enactment. No; the prohi-
bition would not occasion a serious discontent
among the consumers. No; certainly not. The
discontent (if any) would not amount to a political
danger. I think other drugs would follow the
prohibition and not alcoholic stimulant.
36. There is no reason for thinking that alcohol
is substituted for any of these drugs. There is no
proof of its reality.
40. Ganja is sometimes used by those patients
who suffer from rheumatism, and bhang is given
to cattle only with intent to improve appetite.
43. No; they are not inoffensive.
51. Yes; thieves are habitual consumers, and the
use of these drugs is often the motive of thefts.
52. Necessity has no law. The more want for
money for these drugs, the more thefts to defray its
expenses.
56. Dhatura is often mixed with bhang and
ganja and thus given to victims for the purpose of
committing crimes upon them.
66. Yes; in my opinion there should be different
rates of taxation for different kinds of ganja, on the
principle of quality of the article.
69. No; the wishes of the people are not con-
sulted before a shop is opened in any locality. No
measure whatever is taken for this purpose. O yes,
local public opinion ought to be thus considered.
vol. v.
2 X 2