256
Sometimes as an intoxicant dhatura is mixed
with it.
30. Charas and ganja are always used in com-
pany. Bhang is used in solitude. The male sex
only uses them. Children rarely use them. The
use of these drugs is not confined to persons of
any particular age.
31. The habit is easily acquired. To leave off
bhang is not difficult, but it is otherwise as to
charas and ganja. The tendency is to develop
into the excessive.
32. The 'Shiv' offer bhang to their Mahadeo.
They look upon this custom as a religious one and
incumbent on them.
33. The use of bhang is not looked upon as
disreputable. It is otherwise as to charas and
ganja. I do not know of any class to worship
the hemp plant.
34. It would be a great hardship to mendicants
and the habitual consumers were they to leave it
off.
35. It would not be impossible to put a stop to
their consumption. No one can do anything con-
trary to the law. Certainly those habituated to
the use of these drugs would in the beginning feel
the deprivation, and would use dhatura and other
intoxicants. No political danger would arise from
its stoppage. The prohibition should be gradual.
36. Alcohol is not being substituted for any of
these drugs. Nor do I think it ever would be,
for they are cheaper than alcohol.
37. The effects of charas and ganja smoking
are the same, but charas is more intoxicating
than ganja.
38. The flat ganja is the most intoxicating ;
next the round, and last the chur.
39. Drinking or eating the drug is not less
injurious than smoking, but when smoked, they
produce intoxication more quickly. Bhang is usu-
ally drunk.
40. Bhang is used medicinally for dysentery,
and is given to cattle to counteract the effects of
hard work and fatigue.
41. (a) Accessory.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes.
42. Bhang is harmless. Charas and ganja are
baneful.
43. They are not.
44. Bhang does not take effect at once ; ganja
and charas do. They are all intoxicants and ap-
petisers. Bhang affects one for 4 to 5 hours,
while charas and ganja for 1 or 2 hours only.
They have no subsequent ill-effects. The want
of subsequent gratification does not produce any
longing or uneasiness.
45. Ganja and charas are baneful physically
and morally. They lessen the appetite and injure
the digestion. They produce asthma and bron-
chitis. They impair the mental powers and pro-
duce laziness.
46. The habit of using these drugs grows on
the users.
47. Is not hereditary. Does not affect in any
way the children of moderate consumers.
49. The moderate use of these drugs does not
promote lust. Prostitutes seldom use them.
Charas and ganja produce impotency.
51. Fakirs as a rule are the greatest consumers of
these drugs. Bad characters use the drugs freely.
Bhang is mostly used everywhere by the better
class.
53 and 54. No.
56. Used in moderation, it produces intoxi-
cation of the usual type ; if mixed with dhatura,
etc, the effects are great, well nigh producing
death.
57. Ganja and charas are never eaten or drunk.
58. I. consider the present system of excise
administration quite perfect.
59. Cannot be improved on.
60. Ganja is not cultivated in these provinces ;
it is spontaneous in its growth. It is not proper-
ly guarded. It should be grown under the same
conditions as opium.
61. Charas does not grow here, nor is it made
here.
62. The same reply as No. 60.
63 and 64. No objections.
65. Taxation is reasonable, and should not be
altered.
66 to 63. No.
187. Evidence of CHAUDHRI GHASI RAM, Landowner, Maulaheri, Muzaffarnagar
District.
1. I have no special or personal knowledge on
the subject of hemp drugs.
3. The hemp plant grows wild in all parts of
Muzaffarnagar district, particularly in moist
places, such as the low lauds of the rivers or the
banks of the canals.
4. It is known as bhang.
6. It grows densely.
7. No.
12. Not in this district.
14. The drug contractor collects bhang for sale
in his shops.
16. No ; people buy bhang from licensed shops.
It can be prepared from the wild hemp wherever
grown.
19. In this district charas only is smoked.
20. Fakirs and Brahmins are the principal
consumers of charas. Ganja is not used in this
district.
22. Charas comes from Yarkand.
23. No.
24. Bhang is only drunk ; fakirs and Brahmins
chiefly drink bhang. A few people of other
castes also do so.
25. It is not on the increase.
29. Bhang is generally mixed with black
pepper.
30. People generally meet together to consume
drugs ; children are not consumers.
31. Bhang is generally consumed in moderation
and the habit of taking it is easily left off.
Charas smoking is more likely to grow into a
habit and is abandoned with difficulty.