106
consumers of ganja and bhang is 15 and 2 per
cent, respectively.
35. It is not an easy matter to prohibit the
habitual consumers specially of ganja and bhang
from using these drugs. Such prohibition will
vead to the illicit use of the drugs, and will be
nery much disliked by the consumers. There is
to wonder that it may cause a disturbance. If
rhe prohibition is ordered, it will not be within the
ieach of every consumer to use liquor or any other
intoxicant as a substitute for ganja.
36. The use of alcohol in substitution of these
drugs is not a matter that is heard of in this dis
- t r i c t . P e r h a p s i t m a y h a v e b e e n d o n e b y a n y o n e
in any other place.
37. Charas is not smoked in this district.
38. No ganja from any place other than Khand
-wa is imported into this district.
40. Sometimes ganja and bhang are used for
medicinal purposes. They are also used in me
- d i c i n e s f o r a n i m a l s . B u t t h e i r u s e a s m e d i c i n e
has not given rise to the custom of their being
used as intoxicants.
41. (a) The moderate use of ganja and bhang
encourages appetite and helps digestion in the
beginning; but the effect does not continue.
(b) The moderate use of ganja and bhang at
intervals gives staying-power so long as there
is intoxication and alleviates fatigue. But it is
not the case when the intoxication is over.
(c) They do not serve as a preventative of fever
or any other disease.
(d) In no way they are beneficial.
There is no particular caste of persons who are
addicted to the use of these drugs. In every caste
the persons who are ignorant or those who asso
- c i a t e w i t h s u c h p e r s o n s t a k e t o t h e m , l o o k i n g t o
the immediate advantages as noted above. After
a few days' use, however, they become accustomed
to them and begin to use them in larger quantities.
Afterwards they find it difficult to give them up.
42. The use of any intoxicating drug, even in a
moderate quantity, is not beneficial but injuri
- o u s .
43. Some of the moderate consumers even cause
trouble to their neighbours by picking quarrels
with them.
44. Ganja and bhang have their immediate
effects. They are refreshing so long as there is
intoxication. They relieve one from hunger in
the beginning, but it is felt afterwards. The in
- t o x i c a t i o n l a s t s f o r n e a r l y t h r e e o r f o u r h o u r s .
There is uneasiness if a consumer does not use
them.
45. Ganja-smoking causes cough. It has a
deleterious effect on the brain, and so bhang has.
46. Vide reply against question No. 45.
47. It does not appear to be hereditary or to
affect the children of the consumer.
48. Vide reply against question No. 47.
51. The number of consumers among the bad
-mashes does not seem to be a large one.
52. As above.
55. It has been now and then heard that offend
-ers, in order to gain their object, make the per
- s o n w h o m t h e y w i s h t o o f f e n d s m o k e g a n j a o r
bhang with them. One who never uses these
drugs naturally becomes somewhat senseless by
smoking or eating them in large quantities.
56. When the persons who are habitual exces
- s i v e c o n s u m e r s o f g a n j a d o n o t g e t t h e d r u g i n
sufficient quantities, they use some dhatura with
it, so that they may be intoxicated. But as they
are accustomed to it, they do not become senseless.
A person who is not habituated to it becomes
senseless if he smokes dhatura with ganja.
57. Sometimes the use of ganja does not seem
to cause injury to any great extent.
57. Evidence of DIWAN PREM SINGH, Zamindar, Bilaspur District.
1. I have lived from my birth in the Bilaspur
district.
2. I know all the terms described in this ques
- t i o n , e x c e p t s i d d h i . T h e y a r e a l l w e l l k n o w n i n
these provinces.
3. In the district of Ranchi, in Sarguja, it
grows wild very abundantly. It grows freely in
g r o w s w i l d v e r y a b u n d a n t l y . I t g r o w s f r e e l y i n t h e K h a n d w a a n d R a j s h a h i , i n B e n g a l , a l s o P a t i a l a
and Bahraich, in Oudh.
4. I know no other terms except bhang,
charas, and ganja. A kind of flat ganja is known
as "traloncha." These are all products of one
and the same plant.
5. It grows everywhere except on retli, panhar,
and patreh soil. It requires an average rainfall.
6. It grows densely.
7. In Nagpur and Khandwa. It is not grown
in the feudatories, as it is forbidden by law. Its
fibre or seeds are not used for any purpose.
8. The area under cultivation has greatly de
- c r e a s e d o w i n g t o t h e r e s t r i c t i o n s p l a c e d u p o n i t
by the Government.
10. No special caste. Those who smoked ganja
used to cultivate it for themselves.
11. Yes, but the plant improves by cultivation.
13. In Nagpur and Khandwa.
14. Only bhang and ganja are prepared in
Nagpur and Khandwa, not charas.
15. For the production of ganja the tops of the
plant are broken or twisted to prevent flowering.
Bhang is the product of the full flower. Ganja is
rubbed in the palm of the hand with tobacco and
a little water, and then smoked. Bhang is drunk
and eaten, but never smoked.
16. Bhang is prepared by people in their
houses. It can be prepared from the hemp plant
wherever grown, and so can ganja and charas.
17. Every one makes their own.
18. With ordinary care it lasts for two years.
It is tied up in grass and straw in a dry place.
It is spoiled by cold and damp.
19. Ganja and charas are only smoked.
20. No one smokes charas in Bilaspur. It is
only used in cold places.
Sadhus and the common people are the ordinary
users of ganja, both Muhammadans and Hindus.
21. Flat ganja is the best, then round, then
chur.
22. Charas is imported from the North-West
-ern Provinces.
23. Bhang is never smoked.