104
47. It is not the custom to use ganja here
- ditarily; nor do I know that the use of it affects
in any way the children of the moderate con- -
sumer.
49. Ganja and pati are used as medicine with
the object of exciting the desire for sexual in-
- t e r c o u r s e . T h e y a r e a l s o u s e d b y p r o s t i t u t e s w i t h
the same object. The use of an additional quan- -
tity by a person whilst being ordinarily intoxicated
causes the person using it to be out of his senses.
The excessive use of ganja may weaken the body.
50. The excessive use of all these drugs injures
the body.
51. The ganja appears to be used mostly by
badmashes. Its excessive use is likely to result
in the commission of grave offences through
stupidity.
52. The excessive use of any of these drugs
may produce insanity, which is likely to result
in the commission of grievous hurt, murder, etc.
53. Excessive indulgence in these drugs incites
to various kinds of violent and unpremeditated
crimes. I have personally seen certain cases of
assault, grievous hurt, etc.
54. Yes.
55. Those who do not consider their own in
- terest may, in order to further their designs,
stupefy themselves. Stupefaction can be induced
by excessive use, even without any admixture.
56.
What the baids use in moderation, though
modified by the admixture of other substances,
produces good effect, and, similarly, what they use
in excess produces bad effect. Those desiring for
more intoxication mix dhatura seed with ganja,
etc., and some men, I hear, in order to commit
theft of another's cloth, fulfil other bad desires
, and stupefy others, administer ganja mixed with
dhatura seed, etc.
57. The ganja is sometimes used mixed with
country medicines as preventive of asthma and
dysent ery. Charas i s not i n use i n our count ry.
58. The abkari admi ni st rat i on i s worki ng pro- perl y. Any i mprovement of i t woul d resul t i n
disadvantage, while to relax it might probably be
advantageous.
60. In some of our adjoining Feudatory States
no control has been maintained from the begin- -
ning. The system requires modification in this
respect. If no modification is to be effected, the
people may use as they please, and may commit
bad acts.
61. Charas is not produced in our country.
The control should be exercised where it is pro- -
duced; otherwise, if the public be permitted to
use it as they please, it may probably be dangerous
in future.
62. Control should be maintained. This would
be feasible for the Government. Gradual increase
in price and proper arrangement may prevent the
excessive use.
63. As it is sold at many places and at a small
price the public easily use it. In my opinion
the price should be gradually increased, and the
sales at too many places stopped.
64. I have no objection about this.
65. If the duty on ganja, charas, and bhang
be increased, as in the case of liquor, it is very
possible that the people may reduce their con- -
sumption.
66. The duty on all kinds of ganja should be
the same. The rate at which the ganja is now
sold should be at first increased double, and then
gradually.
67. The present rate of duty on ganja, charas,
and bhang, if increased, would gradually reduce
the consumption.
68. There are houses licensed for the sale of
ganja, etc., in our province. I have no objection
regarding them.
69. The people are not consulted in this matter.
The ganja shops, etc., are opened at the places
selected by Government of its own accord, and
sales are effected under its orders.
70.
If any one illicitly brings ganja, exceeding
five tolas in quantity he is punished by Govern- -
ment. The duty is paid. There is no such drug
as is used without being taxed.
54. Evidence of BEHARI LAL, Banker and Honorary Magistrate, Jubbulpore.
24. I came from Dehli and found that every- -
body, high or low, drinks bhang at the Shivaratri
and Dewali festivals without the slightest cen- -
sure or disapprobation. Bhang is also much
drunk in the hot weather to neutralize the heat.
Here—where there is little heat—there is little
bhang consumed.
32. I am not aware of ganja being used in
accordance with any religious or family custom.
33. There is a slight feeling of disapprobation
among respectable natives against persons who
smoke ganja even in moderation, but I believe
this to be due to the fact that if any man is
known to smoke ganja at all, his enemies say he is
a great ganja smoker.
35. I think it would be inadvisable to try and
put a stop to it altogether.
41. I believe the smoking of ganja in small
quantities to be beneficial. I have made extensive
inquiries on this subject during the last month.
I believe that its use, for example, enables sadhus
to endure extremes of cold and hunger, and that
labourers taking it after their day's work obtain
easy digestion and refreshing sleep from it. I
call moderate smoking a consumption of under
2 pice a day.
53. I have never had personal experience of
any person committing violent crime or becoming
mad in consequence of the use or abuse of
ganja.
65. I consider the price of ganja as it is now,
2 annas a tola, to be quite high enough. I should
deprecate any rise in the duty.