398
43. Yes, they are inoffensive to their neighbours.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use of
bhang and charas is to cause an exhilaration of
mind. Charas and bhang are refreshing in their
moderate use. They produce intoxication when
used moderately, but to a slight extent. They do
not allay hunger; they create appetite. Their
effects last for about three hours. Indigestion and
dullness of mind are their after-effects; the want
of subsequent gratification produces uneasiness.
61. The habitual moderate consumers of the
drugs are not the bad characters in a large pro-
portion. No connection with any crime.
54. The consumers of bhang and charas are
timid; therefore they have no courage to commit
any violence.
58. In my opinion the present system of excise
administration is working well in this province.
59. See answer to the question 58.
60. This province does not produce ganja.
61. Charas is not produced in this province.
62. No cultivation of bhang in this province.
63. No objection to the present system of
wholesale and retail vend of bhang and charas.
64. No objection.
65. No taxation in this province on the export
and import of these drugs.
66. Ganja is not imported into or exported from
this province.
67. See answer to the question No. 65.
68. Yes, there are shops known by the name of
Sakikhanas where these drugs are consumed on
the premises; these shops are not separately licens-
ed but the drugs are supplied to them by the
general contractor of the tahsil or district.
69. The public is never consulted before a shop
is opened in any locality for the sale of the drugs.
No consultation, as far as I can think, is necessary.
19. Evidence of ARJAN SINGH, Sikh, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Dera Ghazi Khan.
1. I was Excise Officer at Umballa, Rohtak,
and Dera Ghazi Khan for several years. At
present I am engaged in the Dera Ghazi Khan
Settlement as Extra Assistant Settlement Officer.
2. The definitions given here apply to bhang
and charas. My information does not extend to
ganja. Bhang is also known by the name of
sukha.
3. It grows spontaneously in Hoshiarpur, Dera
Ghazi Khan, and Amballa districts. It is very
abundant in the Amballa district.
4. The plant, so far as I am aware, is known
by the name of bhang. "Sukha" is applied to
bhang as prepared for drinking, when it is called
bhang too.
5. Copious rainfali and proximity to hills imply-
ing necessarily a high elevation, would appear to
be necessary to the growth of the wild plant.
6. Scattered, I think.
7. Some thirty acres of land are cultivated
every year in the Dera Ghazi Khan district. The
hemp plant so cultivated is intended to be used
as bhang.
8. There has been no considerable increase or
decrease in area recently.
9. The hemp plant is cultivated like other
chahi, Hahei crops on chahi, Hahci or Sailaba
lands. The land is ploughed several times and
receives several waterings. The seed is sown
broadcast between October and January. The
crop ripeus in March, and is cut at night to
prevent a loss of seed that would otherwise occur.
Ten seers of seed are sufficient for an acre of land.
10. No; they are of the same class as other
agricultural cultivators.
12. I have no reason to suppose that this is
the case.
13. I don't think there is any restriction in
this respect. But, at the same time, hemp does
not seem to be anywhere cultivated in the Punjab
for producing ganja.
14. Bhang is prepared by the consumer himself
or for him about the time of consumption. This
remark applies to the whole Punjab. Charas is
used as imported from outside.
15. The way in which bhang is prepared from
the cultivated as well as the wild plant is one and
the same. The quantity to be used is put in a
mortar and reduced to thinness with a pestle,
some water being mixed with the bhang at the same
time. The whole becomes a pulp. Some more
water is then mixed with it, and the mixture is
passed through a piece of thin cloth to remove all
traces of solid matter. Sometimes sugar and milk
are mixed with the beverage as prepared.
At
other times almonds, cardamoms, etc., are also
mixed with the bhang. A majun for eating is
prepared by mixing bhang and poppy, sugar and
ghee.
16. Bhang is sometimes prepared by the people
in their houses, but more frequently at Dharmsalas,
Thakardwaras, and at other public places where
the person in charge keeps the necessary vessels
for the preparations of bhang, the consumers
bringing their own supplies of the dry plant. At
the houses of some of the Tumandars in the Dera
Ghazi Khan district, bhang is prepared and issued
to all the visitors. Bhang can be prepared from
the hemp plant wherever grown.
17. This has been already answered. The con-
sumers generally prepare the drug themselves,
though the persons in charge of Dharamsalas and
other religious buildings or places of public resort
offer facilities for its preparations.
18. Prepared bhang deteriorates very soon.
Dry bhang can be kept in good condition for two
or three years, provided that it is frequently ex-
posed to air and light. Bhang that, deteriorates
almost loses its effect in time.
19. I think these are used for smoking only.
20. Hardly any one in the Punjab smokes
ganja. Charas, too, is used by very few persons.
In the Dera Ghazi Khan district the number of
charas smokers is about eight hundred. The use
of this drug is confined to fakirs, Purbia grass-
cutters and a few bad characters. The rural popu-
lation hardly use charas at all.
22. I think the charas used in the Punjab is
foreign, being imported into the Punjab from
Yarkand.
23. No.
24. In the Dera Ghazi Khan district about
sixty per cent. of the adult male population drink
bhang either occasionally or regularly.
The