109
27. Occasional excess is much more frequent
in the case of bhang than of ganja. Bhang is
frequently used at festivals by persons who
otherwise never touch it. Out of 1,000 typical
persons in this district, 700 would never touch
any kind of drug. Bhang is very seldom habi
- t u a l l y c o n s u m e d i n t h i s d i s t r i c t . I s h o u l d n o t
think there are more than 50 or 60 habitual con
- s u m e r s , a n d t h e y a r e f o r e i g n e r s . G a n j a i s n e v e r
consumed occasionally. The craving must be
satisfied every day. The use of bhang is generally
stopped in the cold weather and rains. In my
opinion, there is very little excess in these drugs
in this district. There is not the same violent
intoxication that results from liquor. I have not
s e e n a ma n i n s e n s i b l e f r o m b h a n g o r g a n j a mo r e
than six or eight times in my life. Sadhus and
bairagis are habitual smokers of ganja. They
frequently mix intoxicating ingredients. Labour
- i n g c l a s s e s u s e g a n j a m o d e r a t e l y h a b i t u a l l y . O n l y
one or two per cent. of Gaontias and Malguzars
would use ganja habitually. There is practically
no harm done by bhang.
28.
Bhang
Ganja.
(a) 2 tolas
1/4 tola.
(b) 1 chittack to 2 chittacks 1/2 tola.
29. Tobacco is always mixed with ganja; charas
is also mixed with it and also dhatura and kuchla,
especially by the sadhus.
With bhang is mixed kasni, saump, black
pepper, dhaniya, rose petals, cucumber seed, khas
- k h a s , c a r d a m o m s , a l m o n d s , s u g a r , k e s a r . W h e n
drunk, it is mixed with milk or water.
30. Bhang is used at festivals. Sadhus smoke
in solitude. Ganja smokers invariably smoke
in company, if possible. The practice is never
commenced before sixteen. His father and
mother smack a boy who tries to smoke before
this. Female sadhus smoke. Female coolies do
not smoke ganja. No respectable women smoke
ganja, but now and then they drink bhang. This
would be in solitude.
Opium, but not these drugs, is given to children.
31. The habit of bhang eating is not easily ac
- q u i r e d . G a n j a s m o k i n g i s v e r y e a s i l y a c q u i r e d ,
and i t s use does not , i n my opi ni on, easi l y devel op
into the excessive.
32. At the Holi festival, a special form of bhang
is used called majum. It is sugar and water with
bhang and massalain it. It is eaten as a sweet
- m e a t . B h a n g i s a l s o u s e d a t t h e S h i v r a t r i f e s t i v a l .
Its use is not essential to any festival. There is
no special custom among the Gonds, who prefer
liquor. There are no social customs connected
with ganja or bhang.
33. The term ganj er i (a ganja smoker) is equi
- v a l e n t t o a l o a f e r . I d o n o t b e l i e v e t h e t h e o r y
that ganja or bhang can habitually supply the
place of food for a poor man. It gives him
strength for a short time, but a reaction sets in.
It renders him liable to cold and bronchitis. Its
use is in bad repute, because the craving to go and
smoke with his fellows make a man idle and dis
-honest. Its use clouds the brain. I believe opium
to be of use if used in moderation. I believe all
use of ganja and bhang to be harmful.
34. Ganja, consumers could not stop its use
without great privation. To forego bhang would
be privation for only the very insignificant per
- c e n t a g e o f h a b i t u a l d r i n k e r s .
35. It would be a good thing for bhang and
ganja smokers to be driven to liquor, as these are
not harmful to the same degree.
3 6 . D r i n k i n g i s m o r e o r l e s s a m a t t e r o f c a s t e s .
Certain castes drink. Those that do not are not
likely to take to it. Liquor drinkers never con
- s u m e b h a n g ; t h e y d o g a n j a , b u t o n l y t o a v e r y
small extent.
39. Bhang is by far the least injurious of all
preparations of the hemp plant.
40. Ganja is burnt and rubbed into the body
with oil. I never heard of it being prescribed as
an internal medicine. Never saw it used for cattle
diseases.
41. I never heard that the use of these drugs or
of opium was a prophylactic against fever; though
they might be of use, if used for the first time
when fever came on.
Bhang is useful as a digestive. It is used for
this purpose in medicine. Neither ganja nor
bhang are any real use for severe exertion, expo
- s u r e o r f a t i g u e . O p i u m m a y b e s o m e u s e i n t h e
case of exposure or fatigue.
42. Ganja is absolutely pernicious. A moderate
use of bhang is not so harmful. The habit can be
more easily broken off.
43. Yes.
44. The first effects are rest and warmth. The
will loses its strength. The subject gets hungry
and thirsty. Then the body gets cold, and the
man becomes lifeless as earth, listless and careless
of life.
A man deprived of ganja or bhang does not
suffer anything like so much or so long as when
deprived of opium.
45. It causes cold, bronchitis, and cough.
I have never known a man become insane from
the use of the drugs.
They become silly for a short time, but the
effect wears off with the drug. The brain is un
- d o u b t e d l y a f f e c t e d . T h e r e i s n o o n e i n m y
zamindari commonly pointed out as a victim of
bhang or ganja smoking.
46. Men frequently take to ganja and bhang
drinking to stimulate the passions. The im
- m e d i a t e e f f e c t i s t o s t i m u l a t e t h e p a s s i o n . T h i s
leads to immorality; but the effects soon wear off
and leaves the man impotent.
47. The habit is not hereditary
.
49. Prostitutes do use ganja.
51. It undoubtedly blunts the moral sense. I
have never seen a case of violence or rape when
under influence of ganja or bhang. It leads to
gambling.
53. No.
54. Criminals do fortify themselves with bhang
or ganja.
58. I have nothing to suggest. These drugs
undoubtedly have a bad effect on the character,
health, and the purse of the people, and therefore
any arrangement for checking it within reasonable
limits will be good.
60. The strength of ganja would be much in
- c r e a s e d i f t h e c h a r a s w e r e n o t e x t r a c t e d f r o m t h e
plant before it comes into the market. For this
reason the Sargooja ganja is much better than
ours.
61. I think it is sufficiently controlled.
63. No, except that too much profit goes to the
wholesale vendors, thus putting a heavy burden
on the consumers. It would be better if Govern
- m e n t w o u l d d e a l s t r a i g h t w i t h t h e r e t a i l v e n d o r .
64. No.