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bhang is so cheap that (while there is no licit
consumption where it grows wild) the induce
ment to smuggle it is non-existent. It is not
worth while to carry it to where it can be got so
cheaply in any case. Directly you increase
the taxation you increase the limit of the area to
which it would be worth while to smuggle it.
And smuggling would largely increase. You
would directly have a regularly organised system
of smuggling. I think this would be serious.
The only effective way to prevent it would be
incessant search, which would be a grave evil
and lead to serious discontent.
I do not think there would be any difficulty
(answer 7) in prohibiting the cultivation of
bhang. There would only be the risk of a
patwari or policeman making a false charge of
cultivating. But this, of course, would not
be possible in districts where it does not grow
wild.
The only district, which I know where the
wild plant is found only occasionally and not
abundantly, is Karnal, where the stuff grows
only on Government land by the banks of canals.
The seeds come from the hills. It either spreads
luxuriantly as a wild plant, or the seed is carried
as by canals. I doubt whether people could be
held responsible to exterminate the plant on their
own lands. Take my district Jullundar. No
one would dream of compelling a man to be res
ponsible for the plants on his fields in the north
of the district, where it grows in profusion as
a weed. And I do not see how you could draw
a line and say : north of this a man is respon
sible for the plants on his land ; south of it he
is not. My position is that the holding of a
man responsible for plants on his own land is in
expedient, because it is either where the plant
grows wild and the order is impossible, or where
it does not grow wild and the order is unneces
sary. Besides the order would lead to laying
down hard-and-fast lines, which would appear to the
people unjust. There is no rule against cul
tivation that I know. So long as a man does not
pluck and "possess" more than quarter of a seer
at a time you cannot reach him.
7. Evidence of LIEUTENANT-COLONEL J. A. L. MONTGOMERY, Deputy Commissioner,
Sialkot.
1. I had very little knowledge regarding hemp
drugs before the receipt of these questions, nor
can I say that I have much practical knowledge
even now; though I have made some general
enquiries.
2. Ganja is practically unknown in this district.
Charas and bhang are known by these names.
3. I have seen the hemp plant growing abun
dantly in the submontane districts of Hoshiarpur,
Gurdaspur, Sialkot. It was more especially abun
dant in Hoshiarpur.
4. The plant, so far as I know, has always been
called bhang.
5. The plant seems to grow best in damp rich
soil, and thrives best in submontane tracts, where
the rainfall is abundant.
6. Ordinarily scattered. Sometimes dense in
patches.
7. Hemp is only cultivated, so far as I know, for
its fibre.
14. Neither ganja nor charas are prepared here.
Bhang only is prepared from the wild plant.
15. I have already stated that no preparations
are made, so far as I am aware, from the cultiva
ted plant.
The preparations from the wild plant are for
eating and drinking only ; not for smoking.
(B) Eating.—The plants are cut down and
dried. The leaves are then shaken off and collect
ed. When required they are cleaned of dust by
washing in water and drying. They are then
crushed and eaten mixed with sugar. Or else the
powdered leaves are boiled with water, ghee and
sugar, and eaten as a sweetmeat.
(C) Drinking.—The leaves are dried and cleaned
as above. When required for drinking they are
pounded up and mixed in water or milk. Some
times condiments are added to give a special
flavour. One curious fact is stated that it does
not matter how many times the leaves are washed
in water and dried, their strength is not lessened.
1G. (a) and (b) Yes.
(c) Ganja and charas not prepared here.
17. Only preparations of bhang made in this
district.
When eaten as a powder (phaki), can be prepared
by any one. So also when drunk (sardai).
When prepared as a sweetmeat majūn), made
secretly by well-to-do people, and openly by
contractors.
18. Nothing known about ganja. Charas said
to deteriorate after two years, or sooner if it gets
damp.
Bhang will keep two or three years if kept dry.
Usually kept in earthen vessels or in sacks.
19. Charas almost invariably smoked only mixed
in tobacco. Sometimes, though rarely, it is mixed
in a sweetmeat (majūn).
20. Hindu sadhus and jogis are said to be very
general smokers of charas. A small proportion of
other fakirs (both Hindu and Musalman) and also
prostitutes are also said to smoke it. So also
Purbiahs in cantonments, of the syce and dhobi
class, and of the khidmatgar class.
22. Foregn charas. Usually that which comes
from Yarkand and Ladakh.
23. It is very unusual to smoke bhang.
24. The proportion of the people that eat bhang
is very small. Those who drink it are more
numerous ; but it is difficult to say the exact pro
portions.
It is more often drunk in dharmsalas and in
assemblies of bhang drinkers than privately.
25. No ganja here. It is very difficult to say
if there is any increase or decrease in the use of
charas and bhang. The statistics of the last five
years do not show much difference. It is stated
by some that people are giving up those drugs for
alcohol.
26. I am unable to give figures for this.
27. See No. 24. Fakirs use bhang most of all,
especially Sikhs. The latter often drink it before
engaging in any religious ceremony.