69
Superintendents, who have much more opportunity
to examine these drugs.
65. The answer to question No. 59 does equally
apply here.
66. There should be different rates of taxation.
The present duty levied on flat ganja is reasonable.
The duty on round ganja should be increased on
the principle that the effects are highly injurious,
so that, if sold at a high price, there would be a
decrease in its consumption.
67. There is no tax levied on bhang and charas.
See the answer to question No. 59,
68. There are no houses in this province licensed
for the sale of these drugs or their preparations,
where they may be consumed on the premises.
But there are many such shops. A close supervi-
sion is required to prohibit the assemblage of cri-
minals in such shops.
69. The licensed vendors do always wish to
open their shops in such localities, where people
may have opportunities to purchase the drugs
without difficulty. The localities of these shops
are considered with due regard to the localities of
markets and abadis, which is deemed sufficient
for the purpose.
Oral evidence.
Question 15.—The custom of mixing dhatura
seeds with bhang is not common. I have noticed
it at the Holi, and even then the practice was ex-
ceptional.
Question 18.—In the last part of this answer I
describe a method of storing the drug. The water
Keeps the drug moist, and the charas is placed on
a grating over the water,
Question 25.—Ganja is more hurtful than charas,
as I have found out by enquiry of consumers,
especially at Gusar Nath in the Partabgarh
district. There is more intoxication in ganja, so
much so that men sometimes fall down when they
are intoxicated and require to be sprinkled with
water to restore them. They do not quite lose
their senses. I have never seen this result from
charas.
Question 29.—Sadbus do generally mix dhatura
with the drugs. An old servant of mine mixes
dhatura in the same way. He is a fakir by de-
scent. I also know a Khaki Gosain who has the
same habit. I know other cases. The majority
of sadhus use dhatura. Out of nine fakirs whom I
questioned, I found that five used it.
Question 30.—I have seen bhang given to
children in all castes. The children are always
above the age of eight years. The drug is given
in small quantity in sherbet.
Question 35.—Ganja can be prepared from the
wild plant, and the wild plant grows everywhere.
The prohibition could not be enforced in places
like Bahraich, where the plant grows plentifully,
but import could be prevented.
Question 42.—I know the case of a Talukdar of
property who lost his memory by smoking ganja.
His eyesight also went wrong, and the hakims
told him it was the effect of ganja. He did not
become insane. I do not know that he suffered in
any other way. He did not drink, hut he was
given to sexual excess, 1 have not noticed any evil
effects from moderate use among the working
classes.
Question 45.—In saying that the drugs produce
temporary insanity, I refer to the intemperate use.
With regard to bhang, also, the evil effects are
due to the excessive use, which follows on habi-
tual use.
Question 46.—I mean that excessive consumers
are seldom in full possession of their senses, though
they may not be insane. This only applies to the
state of intoxication. When it passes off they
recover their wit.
45. Evidence of CHAUDHRI MAHARAJ SINGH, Jat, Deputy Collector, Mau, Jhansi
District.
1. I have been in charge of Excise Department
in some of the districts, where 1 have worked as a
Deputy Collector.
2. Yes ; besides the names already mentioned,
bhang is also called bijia, and ganja and charas,
sulfa.
3. Gonda, Bahraich, Lalitpur (a sub-division
of district Jhansi) ; it is abundant in Bahraich
district.
6. Dense.
7. No such cultivation in Jhansi district.
14. No.
16. It is not so done generally ; yes, it can be so
prepared and also ganja and charas.
17. By no special class of people.
19. For smoking only, so far as I am aware.
20. The use of ganja and charas is more preva-
lent among the lower classes ; the proportion of
the people can't be given definitely ; but ganja
is more extensively consumed than charas, the
latter being more costly.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking.
24. Bhang is generally used by higher classes as
a drink and is eaten by a certain class of fakirs in
cold weather. No exact proportion of the people
could be given, the consumers counting by thou-
sands.
25. The use of these drugs is not on the in-
crease, because their free cultivation is prohibited,
and besides they are liable to excise duty.
29. Tobacco is ordinarily mixed with ganja and
charas both, and black pepper with bhang. Dha-
tura is very exceptionally used with bhang in
order to enhance the intoxicating effects of the
latter.
"Bhang massala"—Seeds of khira, kakri,
sonf, ilaichi, almond, dry rose-flower.
30. Ganja and charas are used to a greater ex-
tent in company, while bhang is consumed both in
solitude and in company. Their consumption is
generally confined to the male sex and the adult.
Children do not usually use them.
31. The habit of consuming any of these drugs
may be easily formed, but is not so difficult to
break off, as is the case with opium or alcohol.
Their moderate use generally does not tend to
develop into the excessive habit.
34. Certainly ; it would be a serious privation
to the labouring classes, who find a great relief
and comfort by the use of these drugs after their
day's work. The drugs are now generally used by