33
Bhang-
Generally in company, and is not looked
upon as a vice to the extent of ganja
smoking.
Both the drugs are confined to male adults ;
they are never used by children.
31. Ganj a-
The habit is easily formed by associating
with smokers. lt is difficult to break
off in case of habitual excessive smokers.
Bhang-
It is easily formed but not difficult to break
off. It has no tendency to increase.
32. In Holi festival bhang is used by Hindus.
The use is considered essential to make a man
more jolly. It does not lead to the formation of
habits, nor considered injurious if taken for two or
three days only.
33. Ganja is regarded disreputable in respect-
able and higher class of society, as its use is con-
fined to religious and low caste people. Its exces-
- s i v e u s e m a k e s a m a n w r o n g - h e a d e d .
Bhang is not looked upon as disreputable if
taken at times and seasons. The hemp plant is
not worshipped ; but both ganja and bhang are
offered to Mahadeo god by the smokers and
drinkers.
34. It would be a serious privation in the
beginning to bairagis and fakirs, also to some
extent to lowest classes who are accustomed to
work hard in cold and hot seasons, probably to 15
per cent., who are habitual excessive consumers.
35. It is feasible to prohibit the use although
it will take a long time to have a complete effect.
I think consumption can be stopped gradually.
Prohibition may be enforced by increasing price of
ganja. It will occasion serious discontent among
the consumers in the beginning, but it would not
amount to political danger. The prohibition might
be followed by recourse to other stimulants to a
very limited extent.
36. No.
37. Charas produces more intoxication and for
a longer time than ganja.
38. They produce exactly the same effect.
39. Ganja smoking is more injurious than
drinking bhang. The former produces asthma,
bronchitis and such other diseases.
40. Native physicians use ganja and bhang as
medicines occasionally. It is also used in the
treatment of cattle suffering from diseases result-
- i n g f r o m c o l d . T h e p r o h i b i t i o n o f t h i s d r u g
would not in my opinion result in inconvenience
in this respect, as there are several other medicines
to substitute for them.
41. The moderate use of ganja and bhang only
may be beneficial in its effects as to (a), (b), (c)
and (d) ; but if allowed, it is sure to result in
habitual excessive use, and as such prove ruinous.
42. Ganja smoking and bhang drinking are not
harmless. They might prove harmless for the
time being, but in the long run their effects are
injurious as stated above. People accustomed to
drink bhang are eventually attacked by rheuma-
tism, gout, and paralysis.
43. Yes ; they are.
v o l . v i .
44. It produces intoxication under the influence
of which appetite is created and a larger quantity
of food is consumed. The effect lasts for about
three hours. The after-effects are weakness, sulki-
ness, etc. The subsequent want of gratification
produces longing and uneasiness.
45. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes, unless they get a very good and nou-
rishing food.
(c) Not exactly.
(d) Yes; certainly the latter two.
(e) Yes.
(f) The moderate use has no such effect as far
as I am aware.
(g) No such cases are known to me.
46. The habitual excessive use of any of these
drugs would necessarily prove more harmful.
47. No.
48. No.
49. Yes; moderate use of ganja is practised as
an aphrodisiac. It is used by prostitutes. The
use is more injurious as the natural power is
exhausted by artificial pressure. It tends to pro-
duce impotence in the long run.
50. The excessive use of this drug is made as
an aphrodisiac. It is also used by prostitutes.
The use for this purpose is more injurious than
its use as an ordinary narcotic, as the natural
power of a man is exhausted by artificial pressure,
Its excessive use produces impotence.
51. No.
52. The excessive use of this drug makes a man
weak and lazy. He is therefore unable to earn
his livelihood and resorts to crime. A large
proportion of bad characters are habitual excessive
smokers.
53. I know of no case in which it has led to
temporary homicidal frenzy ; but it is probable
that excessive indulgence in any of these drugs
may incite to such crime.
b 1. Yes ; but not as a rule.
55. Yes, complete stupefaction can be induced
by this drug without admixture in case of a weak
man who is not addicted to any kind of intoxica-
tion.
56. In moderation, if mixed with spices, its
effect is light, such as table wine or beer. In
excessive, its effects with admixture of dhatura
and opium are severe and of long duration and
intensity. Bairagis and fakirs mix dhatura and
opium for personal consumption.
57. I have no personal knowledge of this.
58. The system is working well.
59. It requires more strict supervision in wild
and distant parts of the district, such as zamin-
daris and Feudatory States. The ganja cultiva-
tion in Bastar Feudatory State should be stopped,
as it is not properly controlled, and there are
reasons to suppose that it is smuggled into
Khalsa.
60. I think it is sufficiently controlled in
Nimar district, where ganja is produced ; but in
Bastar State it is not.
I have nothing to add on this point.
62, 63. and 61. No.
H