59
Certainly the peremptory prohibition would cause
serious discontent among the consumers. I can-
not say that such discontent will amount to a
political danger, but recourse will certainly be had
to illicit consumption of drug by their consumers.
The prohibition may be followed by recourse to
(a) alcoholic stimulants or (b) other drugs in
course of time, but not at once.
36. In conversation with some of the ganja and
charas smokers, 1 have come to know that when
the habitual consumers anyhow happen to fail to
obtain these drugs, they generally use dhatura
and karwa chiraita in their place as a temporary
measure till they succeed in getting their required
drugs.
37. The effects of charas smoking are felt for a
longer time than those of ganja smoking.
38. Yes ; they have. In this district we have
two kinds of ganja—flat and chur—for use, and
they differ in degrees of strength from each other.
39. Charas and ganja are generally smoked.
Bhang is either drunk or eaten ; the former are
never drunk or eaten, and the latter rarely smoked,
as in this way it does not produce the effect it
does by drinking and eating.
40. The use of bhang puts down the piles
disease, and it is administered to overworked cattle
and horses.
41. Yes, the moderate use of charas, ganja, and
bhang is considered beneficial in its effects by
these who use it. In cases (a), (b), (c) and (d),
as slated in this question, the classes who use the
drugs' are mentioned in reply to the question No.
20. The proportion of those who use the drugs in
comparison with the strength of the class is 9.57.
42. As the moderate use of these drugs has
been admitted to be not unbeneficial in question
No. 41, so this question requires no further reply.
43. Yes ; they are.
44. The immediate effects of the moderate use
of any of these drugs is (1) refreshing, (2) intoxi-
cation, (3) allaying hunger, and (4) creation of
appetite. The effects of ganja and charas last
about two hours. The want of subsequent grati-
fication produces uneasiness.
45. The habitual moderate use of these drugs
does not produce any general noxious effects,
physical, mental, or moral. Last two paragraphs
of the question not known.
46. The habitual excessive use of any of these
produces noxious effects questioned in question
45.
47. No.
48. Replied with question No. 47.
49. The moderate use of bhang is considered
aphrodisiac, and replies to other points noted in
question are not known.
50 to 54. Not known.
55. Criminals, in order to further their designs
do not induce their victims to partake of any of
these drugs to stupefy themselves, as no complete
stupefaction can be had by these drugs without
admixture of dhatura or something like it.
56. Not known.
57. I know no instance of ganja and charas
being eaten or drunk ; they are generally smoked.
58. The system of administration of this pro-
vince in respect of hemp drugs works well.
59. Considering the reply given in question 58,
no further reply to this question appears neces-
sary.
60. No ganja is produced in this province ;
therefore no remark is called for on the remaining
portion of the question.
61. Charas is not produced in this province ;
therefore no remark is called for on this point.
62. There is no cultivation of hemp plant for
the production of bhang in this province.
Therefore I am unable to offer any opinion.
63 and 64. No objection to be offered.
65. The ganja, charas, and bhang are taxed at
the place from which they are brought into this
province, and therefore I am unable to offer any
opinion on this point.
66. Yes, it is necessary that there should be
different rates of taxation on different kinds of
ganja, as the strength of one kind differs from
that of the other.
67. Having regard to the ultimate incidence of
the tax on the consumers, no opinion can be offered
to the present method of taxing (1) ganja, (2)
charas, and (3) bhang, as they are taxed in the
places from which they are brought into this pro-
vince. More they are taxed, the less will be the
inclination to use them,
68. There are no houses or shops licensed for
the sale of these drugs or their preparation in the
North-Western Provinces, where they may be
consumed on the premises.
69. The wishes of the people are consulted by
enquiry through Tahsildars of parganas before a
shop is opened in any locality,
70. There are no facts regarding the import-
ation or smuggling of hemp drugs from Native
States into the North-Western Provinces to which
attention should be drawn. The contractors state
that hemp drugs are brought into this province on
payment of duty.
41. Evidence of GUNGA NARAIN, Kayasth, Excise Deputy Collector, Mirzapur.
1. Based on information received from time to
time from principal consumers and experts with
whom I had to come in contact both in my public
and private capacities.
2. The definitions given by Dr. Prain are, as
far as I consider, quite suited and sufficiently
exhaustive. The products are, I presume,
generally known by the names assigned them in
these districts ; but I would, however, name them
(products) as under :—
Bhang, subzi, boti, and siddhi (termed in
Bengal), bijia and patti. Ganja. Charas.
vol. v.
3. Bahraich, Gorakhpur and Basti.
4. The different names are given in reply to
question 2.
5. The damp climate as well as rainfall
generally favour its growth.
6. Ordinarily scattered.
7. Is not produced in this district.
10. They do not form a special class, nor they
are restricted to the agricultural class.
16. Yes ; but superior bhang is not turned out
from the hemp drug wherever it grows. Ganja
M 2