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charas and ganja from the wild bhang. (Hindu)
fakirs and sadhus generally use these drug3.
8. There is no increase or decrease in area. Its
growth depends on rainfall.
9. It is not cultivated.
10. No one cultivates the plant, and on the con-
trary the cultivators destroy the plants which
grow on their cultivable lands.
11. No.
12. It is not cultivated in this district for the
production of ganja. I know nothing about the
other districts.
13. It is not restricted in this district, and I
cannot say in what other districts. There are no
special conditions for its cultivation. It grows on
good and level lands where rainfall is excessive.
14. Ganja and charas are not manufactured in
the Una tahsil. Bhang only is prepared.
15. Wild hemp only grows in this district and
is used in drinking by Hindu sadhus and fakirs.
About its use for smoking I know nothing.
16. Sadhus and fakirs generally bring small
quantities (of green leaves) of wild bhang to their
houses and use it for drinking. Ganja and charas
are not prepared from it in this district. The
stalks of the hemp plant when dry are used for
fuel.
17. By none, as far as I am aware.
18. Bhang if kept in a house and protected
from vain and winds gives more intoxication. It
generally loses its effect in a year or two if not
protected from rain.
19. I do not know anything about this ques-
tion as it is objectionable according to our Sikh
religion.
20 and 21. I know nothing.
22. It is imported into the Una tahsil from the
Kangra district, etc., and people use that.
23. 1 know nothing.
24. Generally sadhus and fakirs drink it. I
cannot say what proportion of the people.
25. It is on the increase to a small extent.
26. As I am on tour I know nothing, but had
I been at head-quarters I would have given a
satisfactory answer after enquiry.
27. Sadhus, fakirs and nihangs generally use
bhang. There is no danger of life in using it.
Charas and ganja are also smoked by sadhus and
fakirs, but not by nihangs (Sikhs), and there is
danger of life (in using them).
28. I am just now on tour. If I had been at
head-quarters, I would have answered after en-
quiry.
29. Habitual excessive consumers mix copper
and dhatura with bhang to make the intoxication
strong.
80. It is generally practised in company. It
is mainly confined to the male sex.
81. The habit is formed by company, and it is
difficult for habitual consumers to break off the
habit at once as it proves injurious.
82. It is not lawful according to any religion
or custom. Bhang is not injurious, but ganja
and charas, however, are.
33. Hemp plant is not worshipped in this dis-
trict. The habit is regarded bad, because it makes
the consumer insensible.
84. Certainly it would cause privation to habi-
tual consumers.
35. Prohibition is feasible if enforced by the
authorities. If it is unlawfully carried out, I
think people would be discontented, but their dis-
contentment would not amount to any political
danger. Prohibition would be followed by re-
course to alcoholic stimulants, etc., by the well-
to-do persons only and not by the fakirs and
poorer classes of consumers.
37 to 39. I am on tour just now and cannot
answer without enquiry from the consumers.
40. Charas and ganja are not used for the
treatment of any diseases; only bhang is used
for the treatment of men and cattle.
41. Only bhang is used as a digestive or pre-
ventive of the effects of unwholesome water.
There are no particular classes of people who in
general use it.
42. Ganja and charas are injurious to some
extent, but bhang is harmless.
43. Yes.
44. It (bhang) is refreshing, produces intoxica-
tion, creates appetite, and the effect lasts for two
or three hours. The want of subsequent gratifica-
tion causes uneasiness.
45. Ganja and charas produce noxious moral
and mental effects, injures the digestion, causes
loss of appetite, bronchitis and asthma. The
appearance is changed and the intellects are
affected, the moral sense is impaired. It also in-
duces laziness and produces temporary insanity.
If the habit is given up, the insanity disappears,
46. Bhang is harmless.
47. Not a hereditary habit.
48. Bhang is excessively used.
49. Bhang is aphrodisiac. Prostitutes generally
use it, and it does not produce impotence.
50. Bhang is excessively used.
51. I know nothing.
52. Bhang is consumed excessively and the
consumption of ganja and charas is moderate.
53. Ganja and charas consumers are often quar-
relsome.
54. I know nothing.
55. Bad characters stupefy their enemies (sic)
by inducing them to take bhang in which they
mix dhatura, etc.
56. Bhang gives strong intoxication by the
admixture of copper and dhatura and completely
stupefies the consumer.
57. I don't know.
58. The present excise system is working well.
59. No.
60. Ganja is not produced in the Una tahsil.
61. Charas is not produced in the Una tahsil.
62. Control is very difficult, because bhang
grows spontaneously, and damages crops, for
which reason the cultivators destroy its plants.
63. The present system is working well.
64. I have no objection.
65. 1 can offer no opinion for alterations in tax-
ation.
66. I can offer no opinion.
67. No objection.
68. Licensed vendors only sell the drugs in a
shop or house wherever they like, and there is no
harm in this.
69. People are not consulted. The licensed
vendor opens a shop where he chooses.
70. The farmers sell the drugs. Cases of
smuggling are handed up to justice by the farmers
and the offenders punished.