378
case of bhang, there is no tendency to increase.
In the case of charas I am doubtful.
32. Bhang in some shape is presented to
Mahadeo. I have seen it myself given on the
occasion of a Rathjatra in Delhi to all the people
following. But this question 1 cannot answer J
in detail.
33. A charsi is considered a low worthless
fellow, and the custom of smoking charas is gener-
ally considered reprehensible. I am not sure
whether this opinion is based on the observed
evil effects of the drug in certain cases, or merely
on the fact that it is only the poorer classes that
indulge in the habit. There is certainly not the
same feeling in regard to bhang.
34. I believe it would be a serious privation in
the case of fakirs and other poor people who are
accustomed to smoke charas, but 1 believe it
would not be so great as giving up opium.
35. We might prevent import into the Punjab.
There would then be great demand for bhang.
Dhatura would be substituted for charas by the
very poorest, and bad spit its would be taken by
those who are better off. There would certainly
be great discontent: fakirs would especially object,
and they would bring pressure to bear on others,
and there might be a political agitation, though
not of a serious nature unless it got associated in
some way with the other political agitations.
36. I believe this to be the case. There has
been a greater sale of cheap Indo-European
liquors and of cheap French (?) brandy than before.
It is also said by people generally that English
spirits are being much more largely used, and
natives of position have assured me that this is
the case.
37 and 38. I have no knowledge of the effects
of ganja-smoking,
39. I am not able to answer this question. I
believed until recently that the use of bhang
would not cause insanity, or rather that bhang
and insanity were not associated. But at my
last visit to the Lunatic Asylum a man was
brought up who said he had used only bhang.
40. 1 leave this to the professional witness, but
I am told bhang is efficacious in piles, also in in-
digestion.
Charas is, I believe, eaten in asthma.
41. The use of bhang is certainly considered bene-
fiicial as a digestive or stomachic, and also in over-
exertion and in great exposure it helps the drinker
to stay. 1 here refer to the moderate occasional
use, and the use in the hot months. Such use is
not, I believe, injurious, and it is common. Any
attempt to prevent it would probably drive the
consumers to liquor.
Charas is also a stunulant, and the man who
without a smoke would be useless has at once after
his smoke life and energy.
42. The moderate use of bhang is probably bene-
ficial, certainly harmless. I have said it is very
common, and we see no evil effects. 1 have
spoken to wealthy persons who use bhang, and
they have not suffered.
43. I have never heard of a case where a man
who took only bhang was charged with making
any disturbance or assault. The same is probably
the case in charas also, but charas has got a bad
name.
44. Bhang is said to be sustaining, and charas
is also taken by fakirs to make them indifferent
to privations of all kinds.
45. This is a question more for the physician
than the Magistrate, but whether it is cause, or
whether it is effect, insanity and charas are often
connected; and I have been given to understand
that insanity is caused by the use of charas. I
would say, however, that it was only the excessive
use of charas that had this effect: many charas-
smokers are in full possession of their senses. If
the moderate use caused insanity, our Lunatic
Asylums would not hold all the persons sent to
them.
46. See No. 45.
47. No ; so far as I know, it is not hereditary,
and I am not aware that children are affected in
any special way. Mere association will account
for the habit being so common among certain
classes.
48. I have no remarks to make.
49. The moderate use of charas and bhang is
said to be an aphrodisiac, and they are used by
prostitutes. It is said that the excessive use of
charas tends to produce impotence,
50. See No. 49.
51. Charas-smokers and crime are associated
just as poor people and crime are associated.
There is, so far as 1 know, no connection between
the use of the drug and any special form of crime.
52. The excessive use of charas is said to lead
to crime of violence. The belief is general, and I
believe well founded.
53. Crime of violence and the excessive use of
charas are associated together. The records of the
Lunatic Asylum will give numerous ca?es where
charas-smokers have run amuck.
54. Bhang, I am told, is used for this purpose,
just as a burglar might take a glass or two of gin.
55. Bhang is said to be used, but I have never
myself had to try such a case. I have had to try
at least one case in which dhatura was used.
56. I am not able to answer this.
57. Charas is eaten I believe in asthma; it is
used as an expectorant.
58. The only suggestion I have to make is the
taxation of charas, and that matter is already
under consideration.
The transport of bhang
might also he taxed, that is, the light to move it
from the district where it is grown to another dis-
trict, or from province to province. The posses-
sion of bhang for sale is subject to license already.
GO. Ganja is not produced in this province.
61. I know nothing of the production of charas
in the Punjab. I believe it is all imported.
62. I doubt if any steps can be taken to prevent
the growth of the hemp plant. It grows wild,
I adhere to the opinion expressed as Assistant
Commissioner of Kulu.
03. No ; the excise administration in the Punjab,
so far as charas is concerned, needs no improve-
ment. I have already advocated a duty on
charas.
64. I have no remarks to make.
05. The tax on charas is at present only the
license duties ; it is certainly light, and charas and
bhang are both cheap, but charas is used almost
exclusively by poor people, and any great increase
in taxation would be felt very severely. It might,
however, stop or tend to stop consumption, and
that would he a gain so far. But at the same
time those who can afford it will not give it up, or
will take to country liquor, and the poor man will