301
42. The moderate use of any of the said drugs
is in no way harmful to well-to-do consumers who
can consume the ghi and milk after using the
drugs and specially of charas and ganja.
43. Yes.
44. The immediate effect resulting from smok-
ing charas and ganja is that eyes become red and
convulsed, the brain demented and the heart also
and the stomach contracts and thus the person-is
intoxicated.
As regards bhang I have stated its effects in
answer No. 41.
45 and 46. See answer No. 41.
47. As far as I know, it is a hereditary habit; and
as regards children of well-to-do persons it does not
arffect, because they are in habit of consuming ghi
and milk, etc., which mitigates the fervour of the
drugs from the internal organs.
51. I do not know of any crimes to have been
committed by consumers of the drugs in question.
56. I have already expressed in the above men-
tioned answers on the moderate and excess con-
sumption of the said drugs. As regards dhatura,
the habitual excess consumers mix it in drinking
the bhang for strong intoxication.
57. Charas and ganja are not eaten or drunk as
far as I know.
Oral evidence.
Question 32.—There is no special prohibition of
bhang in any scripture, but the moulvies condemn
it as well as all intoxicating drugs.
Question 59.—The hemp plant is not cultivated
in this district. Charas is imported. I have
written that charas should be prohibited as well as
the other drugs, and have explained how the prohi-
bition should be introduced. The plant is culti-
vated to some extent in Shahjehanpur.
226. Evidence of RAI BAHADUR MUNSHI SHEO NARAIN, Secretary, Municipal
Board, Agra.
1. My local knowledge extending over forty years,
and enquiries from vendors and consumers, and
practical observation of persons addicted to these
drugs.
2. Yes; by name ganja, charas and bhang.
3. Ganja is grown in Jhansi, Gwalior, and
Khandwa.
4. In Agra it is generally known as ganja.
6. As far as I am aware, it is said to be grown
densely.
7. Not grown in the Agra district.
16. Bhang only is pounded and drunk. Ganja
and charas are not prepared in Agra.
18. Fresh ganja, charas and bhang arc said to
be good: as it gets older, it loses its narcotic
effect.
19. Used only for smoking.
20. Labourers, kahars, jogis, and fakirs use it
mostly, and specially by the urban population. I
do not think more than 50,000 souls use this drug
in the Agra District,
21. Ganja used in Agra is called " pitar."
22. Foreign, called Yarkhandi, and imported
from the Punjab.
23. No.
24. Bhang is never eaten, but in the shape of a
sweetmeat called majum ; all classes of people use it.
In town and villages both, but mostly in towns.
About 50 per mille will be the probable average of
consumers.
25. It is on the increase, because the so-called
respectable community have commenced to use
these drugs. False liberty is on the increase, and
religious scruples are vanishing.
29. In bhang they generally use pepper, but
well-to-do people use cardamom, almond, sugar
and milk. A few vulgar people mix dhatura seed
with it.
30. Charas and ganja are generally used in
society, but bhang in company as well as privately.
Bhang is also used by children. None of these
drugs are used by the female sex.
31. It is formed by keeping bad company, and
is difficult to break off. Moderate use generally
develops into excessive.
32. (a) Bhang is the only drug used at the Holi
festival and in the worship of Mahadeo, but moder-
ately.
(b) In the celebration of Holi it is essential.
(c) Not injurious,
33. (a) and (b) The use of these drags is general-
ly considered to be disreputable, with the excep-
tion of bhang. The use of charas and ganja is
against religious principles. The use is considered
to be disreputable, as these drugs are generally
used by the lower classes.
(c) Is not worshipped.
34. To habitual consumers it would be a serious
privation, as the habit is difficult to break off, as
in the case of habitual drunkards.
35. (a) It can be prohibited by Government
compulsorily, but not with the consent of the
consumers. I think it would be unjust to prohibit
it legally.
(b) It would bo consumed illicitly.
(d) and (e) Yes; it will; but it will not amount
to a political danger.
(f) Very probably.
36. No.
37. Charas is more prompt in its action than
ganja I believe.
43. Yes; they are
45. The consumers generally appear sickly and
in an unhealthy state; always dull, unintelli-
gent, and drowsy, and morally degraded. Bhang
causes laziness and timidity, but it increases
appetite and causes corpulence.
47. It is not hereditary.
49. It is not used for such purposes.
58. In answer to this, I can only say that the
sale of these drugs must be discouraged by reduc-
ing the number of sale shops and increasing the
license fees to give less facility for the lower classes
to obtain these drugs. I see in Agra there are
83 shops, and a consumer can buy charas oven for