495
26. Among the consumers of bhang—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
40 per cent.
10
„
20
„
30
„
5
„
very rare consumers.
occasional.
The smokers of charas and ganja are almost
always habitual consumers.
27. Occasional moderate or rare consumers of
bhang in some form or other may be met with
among all classes of Hindus. Habitual consumers
are generally to be found among poorer Brahmans,
Sikhs, bairagis, and sadhus.
As to the circumstances in which the practice
is resorted to, as a general rule, one contracts the
habit of consuming an intoxicating drug in the
company of friends who are already addicted to
its use. Some are led to the habit through the
society of fakirs and sadhus, most of whom, as a
general rule, are consumers of bhang or charas.
Bhang is occasionally taken on occasions of
marriage feasts—where it is served out in admix-
ture with various articles, e.g., kachouris, papars,
sweetmeats, pakouras, curd, cooked vegetables,
etc.,—religious festivals, and journeys. It is also
sometimes taken during malarious seasons as pro-
tective against malarious effects. Most people
among Sikhs and other non-consumers of tobacco,
as well as non-consumers of alcoholic beverages,
etc , are led to a habit of bhang-drinking during
times of lowness of spirits and heaviness of time.
The use of charas is generally adopted through
company with charas-consuming friends, or while
attending on sadhus and fakirs.
28. The following may be regarded as an
approximately correct quantity used per day :—
(a) Of bhang, by habitual consumers, 2 tolas
to 3 tolas; of charas, 5 grains to 10
grains.
(b) Of bhang, above one chhitak; of charas,
above half tola.
29. Black pepper, poppy seed, kernel of almond,
seed of melon, etc., sugar, milk, etc. Dhatura is
mixed only by those habitual excessive drinkers
who require a strong intoxicant beverage. The
object of the admixture of almonds, etc., is to
lessen the injurious effects of bhang, and to make
the beverage delicions.
30. Bhang is drunk both in solitude and com-
pany. The charas-smoker would prefer company
to solitude. Bhang is drunk generally by grown-
up and old males ; and very rarely by females. It
is not usual for children to consume any of these
drugs.
31. The occasional moderate use of bhang does
not necessarily lead to the habit, nor is it difficult
for the moderate consumer to give up the habit. It
is difficult for habitual excessive consumers to
give it up. The occasional use of charas and
ganja leads to the habit, which, when once formed,
is very difficult to be give up.
32. The beverage of bhang is sacred to the
Shiva, and in certain forms of worship is con-
sidered indispensible by certain classes of the
votaries of Shiva. The use of bhang in certain
other ceremonies is also regarded as essential
among several classes. The use in the majority
of such instances is temperate, and in no way in-
jurious in itself.
33. As a general rule the use of every intoxi-
cant is regarded with disapprobation; but the
degrees are different. The moderate use of bhang
now and then is looked upon with indifference,
moderate habitual as not commendable. Moder-
ate excessive use is spoken of sneeringly. The
use of charas is looked upon with disapprobation,
except in sadhus and fakirs. Ganja-smoking is
regarded as a very low habit.
34. To the habitual smokers of charas it would
be a very serious privation, as also to the exces-
sive drinker of bhang. The moderate consumer
of bhang would not feel it so severely. As to
numbers, please see answer to questions 24
and 26.
35. It will not be an easy matter to prohibit the
use of bhang. There would be much less diffi-
culty in prohibiting the use of charas and ganja.
Bhang would be sure to be consumed illicitly.
The prohibition of the drugs would cause great
discontent, which (in the case of bhang) would
certainly amount to a serious political danger.
Their prohibition, so far as successful, must lead
to the use of other stimulants.
36. The educated classes do, to a large extent,
drink liquors in place of bhang, regarding the
former as a more respectable intoxicant from its
being in fashion in high European society.
37. The effects of ganja-smoking are still more
injurious than those of charas.
39. The smoking of charas and ganja is far
more injurious than drinking or eating bhang.
The use of bhang is the least injurious of all intoxi-
cating liquors, drugs, etc., while it is accompa-
nied with certain advantages not to be met with
in any other intoxicant.
40. It is.
41. The occasional moderate use of bhang is
beneficial in many respects. The majority of the
consumers of bhang do take to the habit for such
ends. Sadhus smoke charas or drink bhang with
a view to concentrate attention while engaged in
contemplation of God. Hard-worked classes
smoke charas and ganja to give them staying-
power under exposure or severe exertion ; but the
effect is not very lasting.
42. The moderate use of bhang is perfectly
harmless, that of charas and ganja, as it leads to
the habit, cannot be said to be so.
43. All consumers of bhang, charas and ganja
(even excessive consumers) are absolutely inoffens-
ive to others ; if anything, one under the influ-
ence of bhang is sensitive to the feelings of others
and even generous.
44. The immediate effect of moderate use is a
sort of exhilaration of spirits. A larger quantity
would bring on intoxication. Bhang creates ap-
petite, while charas is said to allay hunger. An
excessive habitual consumer does feel uneasy
when the influence of the drug abates.
45. (a) No (as regards bhang) ; yes, to some
extent (as regards charas and ganja).
(b) The use of charas and ganja and the ex-
cessive use of bhang do impair the constitution.
Charas and ganja cause loss of appetite.
(c) The use of charas and ganja and excessive
use of bhang do (1) induce in the long run
laziness, but no sort of immorality or debauchery ;
and (2) produce, if aided with other causes,
insanity.
46. Please see above.
47. No.
48. The excessive habitual use of these drugs
would affect the offspring, if one addicted to ex-
cessive use were ever to have children.