145
35. It would not be feasible to prohibit the use
of any of these drugs.
36. Alcohol cannot be substituted for these
drugs, as many people will object on caste and
religious restrictions.
40. Bhang and ganja leaves are sometimes used
for medical purposes, and for treating cattle
disease.
41. bhang is a food accessory ; hut is defective
in digestive power, and also used as a preventive
for cholera. Moderate occasional use.
42. In my opinion, moderate use of bhang and
ganja is harmless, as the consumers do not do any
harm simply by moderate use.
43. Yes.
44. It is refreshing and produces intoxication
and creates appetite. The effect lasts from three
to four hours. Yes; the want of subsequent
gratification does produce longing and uneasiness,
45. (a), (c), (d) and (e) No.
47. No.
49. Neither one nor the other, in my opinion.
54. I don't think so,
55. Yes, the admixture of dhatura or arsenic
will bring complete stupefaction as well as a strong
dose of bhang to non-habitual drinkers,
63 and 64. No,
67. Moderate reduction is needed.
76. Evidence of LALA NIINDKESFIORE, * Agartcal, Merchant, Banker, Contractor,
Malgoozar, Honorary Magistrate, Secretary, Municipal Committee, and .Me.mber,
District Council, Saugor.
1. I had ample opportunities of coming in con-
tact with persons addicted to ganja, charas and
bhang in these and other provinces.
2. Definitions herein given may be accepted.
Gana is locall known here as baluchur (round),
harial (flat), and chur (broken ganja). Bhang is
also locally known as buti; sometimes bhang is
sub-divided into minor groups according to quality,
such as duba or dudia, ganjery and Behraich.
3. It grows in Gwalior, Indore and ilatlam
territories, and in. the Khandwa district of this
province. It is also known to grow in Marwar
and North-Western Provinces, as well as in the
Feudatory States of the Chhattisgarh Division.
4. All these are the products of the same plant,
differing only in effect on account of different
kinds of soil and climate.
5. It grows abundantly in hot climates and
where the soil is " moond," and in yards which
are sufficiently manured.
6. The growth of the wild hemp is ordinarily
dense.
7. Yes. In Khandwa District for production
of ganja and bhang only.
S. Cannot say.
9. The soil is well ploughed and manured, and
then seeds are sown.
10. It is cultivated particularly by Lodhis,
Kurmis, and Kuubis, and ordinarily by all agri-
culturists.
11. The seed of the wild hemp is very seldom
used for the production of ganja.
12. The wild hemp is especially cultivated for
the production of ganja in districts mentioned in
answer to Question 3.
13. The cultivation of the hemp plant for
ganja is restricted in all the districts of this
province except Khandwa, where its growth is
both spontaneous and cultivated. Special con-
ditions are stated in answer to Question 5. In my
opinion its cultivation is nowhere impossible in
this province, more or less according to the nature
of soil.
14. The ganja and ganjar bhang are prepared
in Khandwa district to a great extent. Khandwa
is therefore the emporium of trade supplying to
all the districts of this province. (The quality of
bhang supplied to these provinces from Govern-
ment emporium is very interior.)
15. Ganja is prepared when the shoots at the
top get ripe. They are cut and pressed under-
neath heavy loads or some weights. Before the
ganja is completely dry, it is exposed to the air
and then used.
Bhang is prepared from the
leaves of the plant
ripe.
There is little or no distinction between the
cultivated and the wild plant. For smoking
purposes it is first cleared of seeds and veins, then
placed on the palm of the left hand with a few
drops of water, and well rubbed with the thumb
of the right hand till it becomes soft, when a
little tobacco is mixed and smoked in a chillum.
Bhang is eaten in the form of tali and pills, etc.,
mixed with sugar or treacle. Bhang is also used
for drinking purposes. It is first washed, then
powdered and mixed with massala, water, milk
and sugar, and then drunk.
16. Yes; bhang is prepared by the people in
their houses. Yes ; it can be prepared from the
hemp plant, but not of all sorts. Yes ; ganja
and charas can be prepared from the plant
wherever grown. Charas can be prepared only
where the growth of the hemp plant is dense and
in abundance.
17. By people of the agricultural classes, but
especially by those mentioned in answer to Ques-
tion 10.
18. Ganja and bhang deteriorate by keeping,
while charas improves in quality. it does not
lose its effect if kept carefully for two or three
years at the most. The damp and moist atmos-
phere in the rains are the causes of deterioration.
If the seeds are separated, and due precaution is
taken to keep it from damp and moist, deterior-
ation is prevented.
19. No. They are used for smoking in general
and for medicinal purposes in particular. In
cases of diarrhoea and dysentery and in fever, it is
made into a paste and rubbed all over the body.
20. Fakirs and Bairagis, performing penances,
invariably smoke, also some house-holders, without
any distinction of caste. Day-labourers doing
hard work generally use it everywhere,
21. Round ganja or (baluchur) is preferred for
smoking. Flat or (harial) and chur are used in
the Central Provinces, while baluchur chiefly in
North-Western Provinces and other Native terri-
tories.
•
00 a
* Invited to attend at a sitting of the Commission for oral examination, but failed to appear.
VOL. VI