160
24. It is seldom eaten except in travelling.
Marwaris, Brahmins, Khatris, Pardesis of all
classes, drink bhang. Of these castes about 75
per cent. drink it.
25. The use of bhang is much the same as
formerly; but the use of ganja appears to be on
the increase, because less smuggled ganja from
Feudatory States, etc., is obtained. Thus the
increased consumption of ganja too is more ap
-
parent than real.
26. Almost all the labouring classes and agri
-
culturists are habitual moderate consumers of
ganja. Almost all mendicants and fakirs are
habitual excessive consumers. Most of the middle
and upper classes came under ( c). Consumers of
bhang are confined chiefly to the upper middle
class, under (a) only.
27. The classes are explained above in 26.
The practice is induced by the fact of its being a
stimulant to exertion, and counteracting fatigue
like alcohol.
28. (a) From 6 pies to 1 anna.
(b) About 4 annas.
29. Ordinarily tobacco. Exceptionally dha
-
tura, to make it very strong.
Yes; black pepper, almonds, cardamoms, rose
leaves dried, cucumber seeds, aniseed, sugar, milk.
30. The labouring and upper middle classes
generally smoke in solitude. The mendicant
classes in company. It is mainly confined to the
male sex: not to any particular time of life.
Children occasionally drink bhang. Prostitutes
frequently smoke ganja : those who don't sing.
31. (a) It is easily formed.
(b) Difficult to break off.
(c) No.
32. The names of several deities are invoked
before consuming ganja or bhang. At the Shiva
-
ratri festival, the god Shiva is bathed with bhang;
this is considered essential. It is generally tem
-
perate, adopted only by those who have already
formed the habit. Not particularly injurious.
33. The total abstainers regard it as a vice,
others don't. The opinion of the former is based
on the fact of its being an intoxicant to some
extent. Charas is looked down upon, but its use
is not prevalent in these provinces. No custom
e x i s t s o f w o r s h i p p i n g t h e h e m p p l a n t .
34. Most certainly, to all habitual consumers.
They would rather forego food. [I can't answer
the other part of the question.]
35. (a No.
(b) Yes.
( c ) N o t a t a l l .
(
d
) Y e s .
(
e
) Y e s .
(f) Yes, by those who can afford it, and are
not prejudiced by caste.
36. No.
37. The effects of the former are more active
and last longer.
38. Only the flat kind is consumed in these
provinces.
39. Smoking is less injurious, the effect passing
off more rapidly.
40. No knowledge.
41. (a) Yes.
(b) and (c) Yes.
All classes of consumers. I refer to the moder
-
ate habitual use.
42. Beneficial as described in Answer 41.
43. Yes.
44. (a) to (e) All these effects are produced.
( f) The effect lasts for an hour or two.
(g) No after-effects.
(h) Yes.
45. (a) to (e) No.
(f) No. I don't know whether insanes confess
to the use of the drug.
( g) No knowledge.
46. The habitual excessive consumer sometimes
becomes emaciated, with a tendency to chest
complaints; but I do not think that any mental
or moral injury results.
47. No.
48. Not hereditary in this case either.
49. (a) No.
( b ) Ye s .
(c) No knowledge.
(d) No.
50. Excessive use of charas might produce im
-
potence.
51. (a) No.
(b) None.
52. Unless dhatura is mixed with the drug,
don't think it would act as an incentive to crime.
53. Only as above. No.
54. I am not aware of such use.
5 5 . ( a)No t t o my k n o wl e d g e .
(b) No.
56. The admixture of dhatura in any way is
liable to produce excitement akin to madness.
57. I have not sufficient knowledge to reply to
this.
58. It works well. I cannot suggest any im
-
provement.
60. No modification required.
63. No objection.
64. No.
65. Taxation reasonable.
66. No, only one kind here.
67. No.
68. No special prohibition exists against this.
The prohibition is sound.
69. The wishes and requirements are considered
by the District Officer, as they ought to be.
70. No; there is very little smuggling. As a
rule duty is paid on ganja and other hemp drugs
used.