57
21. In quality there seems no distinction
between flat and round ganja; one is considered
just as good as the other, and the people smoking
ganja give it a preference to chur or bhurka.
22. As far as I know, charas is not manufac-
tured in these provinces. If it is used at all, it
is imported from other countries.
23. Bhang is never used for smoking by any
class of men.
24. The people of this district eat bhang in
exceptional cases, but drink it generally, as ex-
plained under 17.
25. In my opinion the use of the ganja and
bhang is on the increase, because they are less
expensive than any other stimulating articles,
such as opium, madak, or liquor.
27. Bhang and ganja are the only drugs to be
had in these provinces. The former is used mainly
by people well-to-do, while the latter is generally
taken by poor classes. In both cases the begin-
ning is made under impression of the uses of drugs
being conducive to health, and it is this that mainly
leads to habitual or occasional practice.
29. The ganja is used ordinarily with tobacco,
and exceptionally with tobacco and some addi-
tional ingredients, such as dhatura, arsenic, or the
root of a poisonous plant known as bachnaug.
These preparations are only used for smoking, and
the last three admixtures are intended for produc-
tion of stronger effect than that of ganja itself.
The charas for smoking is mixed ordinarily with
gudakhu and rarely with plain tobacco. Bhang is
prepared in two ways. The ordinary preparation
is called siddhi, while especially one is commonly
known as sabzi. Siddhi is prepared only with
aniseed and pepper, while sabzi requires the fol-
lowing massala sold for the purpose :—(l) dry
seed of cucumber; (2) aniseed ; (3) rose flower ;
(4) dry ginger ; (5) cardamom ; (6) poppy-seed ;
(7) pepper ; (8) kasni seed ; (9) cocoanut.
Both siddhi and sabzi are made in water ; but the
latter is mixed ordinarily with sugar, or exception-
ally with sugar and milk together.
30. Bhang and ganja are consumed much less
in company than in solitude, because the habitual
consumers prefer, for the sake of economy, the use
of the drug in both eases at their own houses.
There are rare instances in which the consumption
of the above drugs is practised by females or
children.
31. Yes, a few days' practice makes one habi-
tuated to the uses of the drugs. No, it is not so
difficult to give up the habit of using the drugs as
it is in the case of opium or madak. In reference
to bhang, there is no tendency for the moderate
habit to develop into the excessive one; but as
regards ganja, there are probably 15 per cent.
of the cases in which moderate smokers turn into
habitual excessive consumers.
32. Bhang and ganja are both used abundantly
by Hindus in eating, drinking, and smoking
during their Holi festivals, and are regarded by
them as drugs most appreciated by Mahadeo
(their god). Bhang is also given in form of
sherbet or majum to Muhammadan boys while
they undergo Circumcision. This is done simply
to alleviate the suffering from the pain of the
operation. The uses of the drugs on the occasions
mentioned above do not tend to the formation of
any .habit.
33. The consumption of the drugs is generally
detested both by Hindus and Muhammadans.
The former dislike the practice because it leads to
some vices, such as dissipation, debauchery,
dishonesty, robbery, and also results in some
instances in insanity ; while the latter object to it
chiefly in consequence of its being prohibited by
Muhammadan law. Those who use the drugs
are often irregular in the mode of their living,
and bear generally some impeachable character.
I know no sect by which the hemp plant is
worshipped.
34. Yes, it would be a very serious privation
to all habitual consumers, because they shall have
no other narcotic articles to substitute for those
now in use at a comparatively low cost.
40. Bhang is prescribed by native doctors as
possessing stimulating properties. It is used in
medicines, and is also given to cattle, together
with salt, as a preventive treatment of purging,
to which they are generally subjected by feeding
on the young shoots of grass sprouting during
the early part of the monsoon.
41. It is a common belief that ganja and bhang
are beneficial in their effects. The former is said
to be preventive of diseases in malarious and un
-
healthy places, and the latter is supposed to have
the properties mentioned under (a) and (b) of the
question.
I refer to the moderate habitual use of the drugs.
43. Yes, they are, if they are not by nature
quarrelsome ; but generally they are easily pro
-
voked and become offensive.
29. Evidence of COLONEL H. HUGHES HALLET, Officiating Inspector-General of Police
and Prisons. Central Provinces.
1. No special opportunities beyond general ob-
servation during a residence of thirty-five years.
2. I have no knowledge how the different
preparations of ganja are made. I only know of
it in the form described as " broken ganja."
12. In almost every village, I believe, one or
two plants of ganja will be found in many of the
" baris " or enclosures at the back of houses, grow-
ing with one or two plants of tobacco, Indian-corn,
vegetables, etc.
16. I believe so.
17. No special class that I am aware of.
19. Broken ganja is, I believe, chewed and
sometimes mixed with tobacco.
vol. vi
20. I am not aware that the use of ganja and
charas is confined to any particular class.
23. Yes.
25. The use of ganja is, I think, extending, as
evidenced by increased sales. This increase is not
due to villagers, who frequently cultivate their
own, but to townspeople. At certain seasons its
use is undoubtedly, I think, extending. Lately
when Officiating Deputy Commissioner at Damoli,
when holding excise sales, I was struck with the
large area to each liquor shop, which I thought
must prevent a great many people who wanted
liquor from getting it. On tour in the district I
made enquiries. Harvesting had just commenced,
and I was told that as the people could not leave