32
Question. 55.—It is probable that dhatura was
used in the case described.
Question 56.—Dhatura seeds are generally used
for mixture to enhance strength of the drug, and
when they cannot be procured the leaves of
dhatura are used.
Question 59.—Respectable people would not
like to take out licenses to consume ganja. Poor
people would be discouraged from taking them by
the price. The restriction by this method would
be difficult but not impossible to enforce.
16. Evidence of RAM KRISHNA RAO, Brahmin, Extra Assistant Commissioner,
Bhandara.
1. Twenty-one years' Government service in
Nimar, Chhindwara, Hoshungabad, Bilaspur,
Raipur and Bhandara districts of Central Provin-
c e s , a l s o 4 1/ 2- ye a r s ' s e r vi c e i n Fe uda t or y St a t e s of
Nandgaon and Bastar in Central Provinces.
2. The definitions may be accepted as correct.
Ganja imported from Khandwa is called "deshi"
or country ganja, and that imported from else-
where is called " pardeshi."
3. Khandwa, in Nimar district, Bastar Feuda-
tory State, in Rajpur district, Central Provinces.
4. As far as I know there are no different
names to it.
5. Not known.
6. Dense.
7. It is cultivated in Nimar district and
Feudatory State of Bastar for production of (a)
ganja.
8. There has been considerable decrease in the
area under such cultivation in Bastar Feudatory
State, as the State does not permit cultivation
without obtaining a license which is granted on
condition of handing over the produce to the
State.
10. No special class. Ordinary cultivators.
13. It is only allowed to be grown in Nimar
district. It is not common to all district.
Among Feudatory States Bastar is the only State
where ganja is cultivated. It was under contem-
plation to stop it when 1 left the State in April
last.
14. They are prepared both in Nimar district
and Bastar Feudatory State. Their extent is not
known.
18. Ganja and bhang deteriorate by keeping.
They lose their effect in time. They keep good
for one y ear with ordinary care ; causes of de-
terioration are damp, pressure, exposure to air.
19. They are generally used for smoking ; but
ganja is occasionally taken internally. It is used
for bhang by frying it in ghee and grinding it with
almonds, cardamon, seeds of cucumber, cloves,
pepper. It is then made liquid in water, milk,
and sugar and drunk.
20. (a) Ganja—
(1) Gosains, sadhus, fakirs, bairagis, 90 per
cent.
(2) Gonds, 50 per cent,
(3) Brahmins, Muhammadans, other Hindus,
15 per cent.
(b) Charas
—
(1) Muhammadans, Mahars, and other low
castes, 10 per cent.
(2) It is also used by rich people, 5 per cent.
These proportions are for the province gene-
rally.
21. Flat ganja is preferred for smoking to that
of chur or broken ganja.
22. Native charas is chiefly used in Central
Provinces ; foreign charas is also used to little
extent by rich people. It is obtained from Upper
India.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking, the leaves
of the ganja being generally destroyed.
24. In Central Provinces about 30 per cent, of
adult male population, particularly in the hot
weather—
(a) eat bhang 5 per cent,
(b) drink bhang 25 per cent.
25. The use is generally decreasing owing to
rise in prices, spread of education, difficulties in
obtaining it, and increased facilities for obtaining
spirits. I do not consider that increase in ganja
income is due to its increase in use, but it may be
due to better control than before.
26. My estimate is as follows—
Bhang—
(a) 75 per cent.
(b) 15 ditto.
(c) 10 ditto, during Holi festivals.
(d) None.
Ganja—
(a) 50 per cent.
(b) 25 ditto.
(
c
) 20 ditto.
(
d
) 5 d i t t o .
27. Ganja—
(a) Religious men, such as gosains, bairagis
and fakirs. They consider ganja
the gift of Mahadeo. It is supposed to
concentrate the mind of the worshipper,
(b) Lowest classes, who are exposed to
weather and undergo works of hard
labour.
Bhang —
Well-to-do middle classes, generally Hindus.
28. (a) 3 pies to 9 pies.
(b) 9 pies to 24 pies.
29. Ganja—
(a) Tobacco invariably,
(b) dhatura rarely by gosains and fakirs.
Opium is also used, but very rarely, for more
intoxication.
Bhang —
B h a n g m a s s a l a i s n o t s o l d i n t h e b a z a r b y
that name, hut people purchase sugar,
pepper, cardamom, almonds, dalchini,
and other spices for mixing with bhang.
30. Ganja —
It is smoked both in company and solitude.
Respectable people smoke in solitude, as
it is looked upon as a vice.