248
of the drugs. I can't be sure I should detect the
habit of charas or chandu smoking from the
smoker's appearance.
Question 59.—Charas is consumed by poor
people and the raising of the price would check
consumption. I think such restriction is desirable.
There is, however, no room for increasing price
looking at the comparative circumstances of poor
and rich, and on the whole I am not in favour of
the adoption of that measure. On all considera-
tions taken together I should oppose the proposal
to raise the price.
179. Evidence of DEBI PERSHAD, Kayasth, Zamindar (also Honorary Magistrate),
Pilibhit City.
1. Being a zamindar, I have had opportunities
of visiting places where ganja and bhang grow,
and of making enquiry into their various usages,
etc. Information has been obtained from other
sources also.
2. In this province these drugs are called ganja,
bhang, and charas. "Bhang" is also called sabzi
or siddhi by some. Different kinds of ganja,
baluchar, chapta, etc., are also known here ; but
ganja is not sold. The villagers who are habituat-
ed in using this prepare it themselves.
3. In the northern and eastern parts of this
district hemp plant grows spontaneously, but is
not called patsan here. It is rather termed ganja,
bhang, and grows abundantly in the Kamaun
division.
4. In this district it is known by the name of
ganja and bhang, and these names exactly refer
to the same plant.
5. In low lands it grows less ; but on an elevat-
ed or level land, with good showers of rain, it
grows abundantly.
6. Wild hemp is often dense.
7. Its cultivation is not carried on in this dis-
trict.
10. It is not cultivated in this district, and
where there is a cultivation it is not carried out
by any particular class of people.
12. In Kamaun division it is cultivated for
charas purposes. In Kashmir paper is made of
the fibres of the bhang plant. It is nowhere
specially cultivated for the production of ganja.
14. Ganja and bhang are prepared from this
plant growing spontaneously. About 500 maunds
of bhang are prepared in this district; but charas
is not made in this district.
16. Ganja, charas and bhang can be made from
the wild plant.
17. Inhabitants in general of the place where
this plant grows prepare ganja and bhang. There
is no particular class to do this.
18. Bhang, if kept with care, can remain in
good condition. Such a kind of bhang is general-
ly liked by bhang drinkers. Its effect is damaged
by dampness. Charas is said to be good when it
is dry and does not lose its stickiness ; otherwise
its effect is lessened.
19. In this province ganja and charas are
smoked. Charas is more expensive than ganja,
which drug is, therefore, more popular among
villagers and the labouring class.
20. Among Hindus, mendicants of lower grade
generally, and people of lower class as well, use
this drug. Its use is considered indecent by the
gentry.
21. Every kind of ganja is mixed with tobacco
before it is used for smoking purposes.
22. It is imported from foreign climes, such as
Kumaun, Bokhara, and Yarkand.
23. Bhang is never smoked. But ganja smok-
ers, when they cannot get ganja, place bhang in
lieu of the drug (ganja) in their chillum ; but its
effect is not the same as that of ganja.
24. Dry bhang is used as churan (a digestive
powder), mixed with salt, etc., in winter season,
and in summer it is used as syrup, with which are
mixed pepper, cardamom, etc. This is drunk by
Brahmans, Khattris, and Vaisyas in every district.
27. Ganja and charas smokers are found in low
class of people. But bhang is used by persons of
high class also to a great extent,
29. To make it more delicious persons add
pepper, cardamoms, &c.; but people in general,
simply grinding it first in water, drink it off.
30. Charas, ganja and bhang are consumed by
people in company, and in solitude by some of the
higher classes
31. Often the moderate habit of the?e drugs
develops into the excessive. It is consumed more
by males than females.
32. There is no religious custom to the con-
sumption of any of these drugs. Rather it is
against the regulations of religion, though illiterate
people consider the use of bhang as religious.
33. The use of charas and ganja in the higher
classes is not considered respectable. Bhang also,
when drunk in large quantities by any one, is
deemed indecent, but its use in small quantities
has almost become a custom among the public in
general. There is no custom of worshipping the
hemp plant by any sect.
3-1. Habitual consumers, no doubt, feel some
difficulty while trying to leave off its use at first ;
but there is not much trouble.
35. If the use of these drugs is forbidden by
law, it will certainly cause dissatisfaction among
the habitual consumers; but the dissatisfaction
cannot amount to a political danger.
37. Charas is considered to be a more effective
intoxicant than ganja, particularly the haththe ka
charas is famous. The haththe ka charas is formed
from the dew on the ganja plant by pressing the
moisture with the palms of our hands. On ac-
count of its superior flavour it is also called itr or
spirit.
39. The use of bhang, whether dry or syrup, is
less injurious than the smoking of ganja or charas.
For charas and ganja-smokers ultimately are at-
tacked with asthma, cough, etc.
40. Its medicinal qualities, both as regards its
drinking and application. Bhang is supposed
beneficial for piles. Many persons use this for
such a purpose. It is also used in the medicines
of the cattle disease.
41. The moderate use of ganja, bhang and
charas in such climes where the climate is ordinari-
ly supposed as unhealthy is considered wholesome.
In medicinal qualities its use in the beginning
appears doing good, but at last it is most injurious.