124
37. Charas is not imported into the Central
Provinces, and so I am unable to give any opi
- n i o n a s t o t h e r e l a t i v e e f f e c t e a c h d r u g p r o d u c e s
on the consumer.
38. Cannot say, for only one kind of ganja is
utilised in these provinces licitly.
39. Ganja-smoking is considered very injurious.
Bhang drinking is considered most beneficial to
health. Majum-eating, prepared with ganja, is
considered less harmful, as also "yakuti" and
"panjari."
40. Yes, very rarely. Bhang is administered
to bullocks to allay fatigue and weariness some
- t i m e s . B u t g e n e r a l l y t h e w a t e r o f f e r m e n t e d
"mohawa" called "goda" is given.
41. It is said that bhang is most beneficial
in its effects as—
(a) a food accessory or digestive;
(b) to give staying-power and to alleviate
fatigue.
(c) Ganja is used as a preventive of maladies
arising from impure water in malarious and
unhealthy districts. Hence its extensive
use in the Zamindaris and Feudatory
States. But the moderate use of it is
abused when it leads into excesses.
Mostly Marwaris, Dakhni Brahmins, Kayasths,
etc., use bhang for the purposes of ( a) and (b
) . T h e r u r a l c l a s s e s u s e g a n j a f o r t h e p u r p o s e s o f
(c). I refer to both.
42. I have already said that the use of bhang
is considered beneficial and harmless. See for
reasons, answers to question 41. Ganja smoking,
either moderately or excessively, is considered
pernicious to the human system. The habitual
use of it is said to weaken the intellect and to
ruin the constitution.
43. They are not troublesome as liquor-drinkers
are. The latter talk much and pick up quarrels,
while the ganja smoker dozes off into sleep, or is
found in an indifferent or empty mood.
44. It is said that ganja produces immediate
intoxication. Bhang is considered to be a re
-freshing drink which produces gradual intoxica
- c a t i o n a n d h i l a r i t y . I t p r o d u c e s a p p e t i t e . T h e
after-effects are not bad. This is extensively used
in the hot season. The after-effects of ganja
smoking are said to be very unpleasant, and the
want of it produces uneasiness in the case of an
habitual excessive smoker.
45. ( a) These noxious effects are not imme
- d i a t e l y p r o d u c e d , b u t t h e y g r a d u a l l y t e l l o n t h e
physical, mental and moral faculties of man.
(b) Ganja smoking impairs the constitution of
a man.
(c) Yes it does, I am told, in the case of an
excessive habitual smoker.
(d) Sometimes ganja does produce these mala
-dies.
(e) Ganja smoking does, I am informed.
(f) Ganja smoking, it is said, deadens the in
-tellect and is a potent cause of insanity.
47. The habit of ganja smoking is not heredi
- t a r y i n t h e s a m e s e n s e a s s o m e d i s e a s e s a r e , w h i c h
descend from father to son. It is very highly
probable that the child which constantly observes
its father from an early age smoking ganja,
would acquire the vicious habit from mere asso
-ciation of parental acts, which may tend to good
or bad. But I have heard it said that the physique
of a habitual moderate consumer of ganja is mo
r e o r l e s s a f f e c t e d .
49. (a) Yes, it is so used.
(b) Yes, sometimes.
(d) Ganja smoking is said to eventually pro
-duce impotence.
50. Excessive ganja smoking accounts for most
of the Hindu sadhus leading such hard and celi
- b a t e l i v e s .
53. I know of one case in the Chanda District.
54. Rebels are said to have done so during the
time of the Mutiny.
55. I am informed that sometimes it is so done
and that an inexperienced man can be completely
stupefied by the smoking of ganja without any
admixture in it.
56. With admixtures, an inexperienced man
will fall an easy prey to the thief.
I am informed that gosains, bairagis, etc., mix
dhatura with ganja for the sake of greater intoxi
- c a t i o n .
58. The excise administration, so far as I have
read, appears to be good so far as ganja cultiva
- t i o n a n d e x p o r t a r e c o n c e r n e d .
62. From the information that I have gathered
I think the restrictions on the cultivation of
ganja should be increased and those on bhang
should be relaxed, for the latter is considered to
be the lesser of the two evils.
63. I have objection to the retail vend of ganja
in this district. The system of allowing tem
-porary and cheap ganja shops affords greater faci
- l i t i e s f o r t h e p r o c u r a n c e o f g a n j a e a s i l y a n d a t a
cheap price in out-of-the-way places. This is
throwing temptation in the way of poor and
ignorant people in rural towns, where no sort of
opinion prevails and where every one is master of
himself and feels as free as the air. Temporary
shops should therefore be abolished.
65. The taxation of ganja, with reference to
alcoholic intoxicants, is very much less; 41/2 pies
worth of ganja produces the same, if not more,
intoxication as one anna worth of liquor. The
duty on ganja should be raised. The price of one
masa of ganja should equal the price of one bottle
of "rasi," which costs one anna. The Munici
-palities should be allowed to levy octroi on ganja
that is brought in for home consumption. This
will serve many useful purposes.
66. If these three different sorts of ganja have
different uses and effects, then the taxation must
vary. This ought to be done on the score of its
being a distinct article used for a distinct pur
- p o s e .
68. In this district no houses are licensed for
smoking ganja. The retail ganja seller does not
move from one place to another in the same town,
but sits and sells ganja in the same place where
he first starts business. I am not aware if any
such condition is laid in the permit that is grant
-ed to him at the annual sales of retail vends. In
Chanda two permits are given to the retail vendor
for selling ganja in two localities of the Munici
-pality, the town and Jatra.
69. In this district the wishes of the people are
not consulted, but when the people of their own
accord make any objection, then it is
considered by
the Deputy Commissioner. No measures whatever
are taken. I think local public opinion ought to
be invited by beat of drum when a ganja shop is
to be opened in any locality of a town.