36
tumultuous men who come round now and then,
or when their females are vexed by their obscene
songs or passing jokes. Such crowds are seldom
seen without men of questionable characters.
70. There is no doubt that, owing to absence of
due restrictions or laxity of superintendence, there
is constant smuggling, but to what extent and by
whom, it is difficult to point out. I. have personal
knowledge of individual
but cannot hazard
a general guess.
31. Evidence of MR. P. HARRISON, Joint Magistrate and Officiating
Collector, Pilibhit.
1. Have been Excise Officer in various districts,
and have frequently had conversations with drug
contractors and consumers.
2. I think these definitions may be accepted.
3. Spontaneous growth in Pilibhit. It is, I
believe, also abundant in Kheri, a neighbouring
district.
4. I know of no other names but the ganja or
bhang plant.
5. Damp gravelly soil appears to be most suit-
able.
6. Scattered as far as I have seen.
7. I have heard of none.
14. Ganja and bhang are prepared in this prov-
ince. In this district and in some of the eastern
districts.
16. I believe ganja and bhang can be prepared
from the wild plant wherever grown. As to
charas, if the process of manufacture were gene-
rally known, which it is not, I believe it might be
universally prepared.
18. Age does not improve any of the drugs.
Charas becomes valueless after four or five years.
19. I know of no other use.
20. Mendicants and low caste Hindus are the
principal consumers. No particular locality,
21. Flat ganja I believe to be most appreciated.
It is however more expensive than the other kinds,
and is not always obtainable in rural shops.
22. Afghans and the like are said to import charas
from Bokhara and Yarkhand. I know of no native
charas wherever I have made enquiries. I believe
the charas to have come as above stated through
the Punjab.
23. Not to my knowledge.
24. The moderate use of bhang is almost uni-
versal, in the sense of not being confined to parti-
cular classes.
25. I believe the use of charas to be on the
increase.
29. Nobody with whom I have talked on this
subject has heard of dhatura being used. I know
of no preparation such as bhang massala.
30. Among the poorer classes consumption is
generally practised in company (ganja and charas).
Bhang is not to so great an extent consumed in
company.
31. I do not think the habit very difficult to
break.
33. The consumption of ganja and charas is
generally looked down upon as somewhat disreput-
able. Bhang-consumers are not despised to the
same extent.
34. I think only temporarily,
35. I think it is not possible to prohibit the
use of drugs. The consumption of charas might
be reduced by Government taking over the sale of
it, as in the case of opium, and prohibiting sale by
other persons. I do not think any danger need
be apprehended from the small amount of discon-
tent likely to be caused. I should say that neither
alcohol nor other drugs would be resorted to.
36. 1 know of no such reason.
37. The effect of* either drug is apparent in the
dryness of the lips and a peculiar voice. The
effect of ganja is more pronounced in this respect
than that of charas. Ganja produces asthmatic
cough too.
38. Not to my knowledge. The best of the
three kinds may have a quicker effect.
40. Bhang is occasionally prescribed by native
doctors. Bullocks, goats and horses are also treat-
ed with it for certain ailments.
42. Moderate use of bhang is harmless.
43. Not in the least except in so far as smoking
in company is likely to collect bad characters of
low castes.
44. Bhang is said to produce appetite.
45. The effects of ganja and charas, as far as
I know them, are described in my reply to question
37. I cannot say whether the moderate use of the
drugs would induce those effects.
49. Fakirs are supposed to use these drugs to
induce impotence.
51. I have never heard of the drugs being used
by criminals except at gambling parties.
53. No instance has come under my observation.
54. Probably not. The effect is more to deaden
the intellect than to increase courage or allay fear.
55. No instance known to me.
58. It works fairly well.
59. Charas might be taken under Government
control like opium. Great trouble would be saved
when the present large contracts changed hands.
60. I think cultivated ganja is comparatively
rare and does not require control.
63 and 64. None.
65. Taxation does not appear excessive. There
is no fixed taxation. It regulates itself with re-
gard to demand and the minimum profit which
satisfies contractors.
66. I think varying rates would be unworkable
and give rise to endless disputes.
67. None.
68. There are none such.
69. Objections to the situation of an establish-
ed or proposed shop are sometimes considered.