324
will be very rare. Sales and imports of ganja,
bhang, and charas be prohibited, and restrictions
should be placed on the sale of bhang in the same
way as in sales of arsenic, etc. The prohibition
will not occasion serious discontent or political
clanger. The prohibition will not be followed by
recourse to alcoholic stimulants.
36 and 37. Don't know.
38. Baluchar is the most intoxicating. Next
comes pathar, and last of all chur.
39. Ganja and charas are only smoked. Bhang
is eaten and drunk. No other mode of consump-
tion.
40. Ganja and charas are not used for any
medicinal properties.
Bhang is prescribed by
native doctors; also in cattle disease.
41. The moderate use of none of these drugs is
beneficial. Occasional moderate use of bhang
creates appetite, gives staying-power under severe
exertion, and alleviates fatigue. Sometimes it is
beneficial in epidemic cases of cholera, etc.
Very few people use it occasionally.
42. See 45.
43. No.
44. Ganja and charas at once produce intoxica-
tion, which lasts for half an hour or so. They are
not refreshing. To some extent hunger is allayed.
The after-effects are laziness and aching of bones.
Bhang produces its effect rather slowly. It creates
appetite to some extent. The rest of the effects
are the same as those of ganja and charas.
45. The habitual moderate use of these drugs is
noxious physically, mentally and morally.
It
produces laziness; also temporary and permanent
insanity. The symptoms may reappear by use of
the drugs after restraint from liberation. The use
of the drugs has no beneficial effects on mental
anxiety or brain disease. Can quote no case.
Ganja and charas produce asthma and bronchitis.
46. See 45. Excessive use has the same effects
as moderate use.
47. No.
48. See 47.
51. No large proportion of bad characters are
habitual consumers. No connection with crime.
52. See 51.
53. No. Am not aware of any such case.
54. No.
55. Criminals do induce others to partake of
these drugs in order to facilitate robbery, etc. The
drugs can produce complete stupefaction without
admixture.
56. Already answered. Have no special in-
formation.
57. Already answered.
58. I do not approve of the present system of
excise administration.
For improvements, see
answer 35.
Oral evidence.
Question 25.—I think that the assemblies of
fakirs are growing. I have no proof but my own
general impression. I consider that the use of
ganja and charas is on the increase, because con-
tractors tell me that in Khandwa, Gwalior, etc., the
cultivation has greatly increased of late years. They
tell me—I know nothing of myself —that within
the last four or five years it has increased. This
increased demand has been due to the fact that con-
sumers have increased. Bad seasons have increased
the number of the poor, and they need ganja in
their want of sufficient clothing and food. I do
not think that there has been any general substitu-
tion of alcohol for these drugs. I do not think
education has anything to do with the matter; it
is not the educated classes that are consumers.
Question 59.—I think that the import of these
drugs should be prohibited. That would break the
practice of using them. I would not allow their
use for any purpose, except medicinal, for man or
beast. There is no advantage in them apart from
this, and they should be stopped except thus.
The practice of using the drugs can be stopped
easily, as jail experience shows. I do not think
other intoxicants would be used, for the use of each
intoxicant is a thing apart. I do not think any
would take to dhatura, for that is used to produce
insensibility, and only in small quantities with
other drugs. It is not used alone for intoxication.
I think that liquor (alcoholic) is worse than
drugs. For natives of Hindustan it is worst of all.
It should be prohibited. Opium, I am told, can be
abandoned only with difficulty. Therefore I think
it cannot be prohibited like hemp drugs, though it
is equally injurious. I have not full acquaintance
with the use of opium, but I believe the smoking
of it to be far worse than eating it.
I think that Government should take measure
to repress all forms of evil.
Question 45.—My view of the connection bet-
ween these drugs and insanity is based on what I
have heard from others. I had not seen cases.
239. Evidence of LALA BAL MOKAND, Governor, Arya Samaj, Bareilly.
1. I was manager of the Estates under the Court
of Ward's management in the Bareilly district for
about one and half years. Hemp plant grows wild
in some of the villages on these Estates, and I was
interested in the subject. I have also obtained in-
formation from contractors of drugs.
2. The definitions quoted in question 2 may be
accepted for this province. Bhang, sabzi, buti,
bijia, and siddhi are the names by which the dry
leaves of hemp plant are known in this district.
The other two products are known as charas and
ganja.
3. Hemp plant grows spontaneously in the Terai
and Pilibhit, Saharanpur, Bareilly (Baherhi tahsil),
and Rampur State. It is abundant in Rampura,
Sattarganj, and Nanak Mattu in the Terai and in
Puranpur tahsil of the Pilibhit district.
4. See answer 2.
5. Damp climate and moist soil are necessary for
the growth of the wild hemp.
6. Growth ordinarily dense.
.7. No cultivation in this district.
14. Bhang is prepared in the places mentioned
in answer 4.
15. The bhang in this part is obtained from the
wild plant by merely picking off the leaves when
they turn yellow.
Bhang is eaten in two ways—(1) It is cleaned,