72
20. Generally speaking the labouring class
smoke ganja and charas. Some gentlemen also
smoke them but they are few. I cannot give the
proportion of smokers.
21. Chur is preferred for smoking in Kushtia
sub-division and round ganja in the other sub¬
divisions of this district.
22. Foreign charas is chiefly used. It is
imported from Calcutta.
23. Yes, but rarely. There is no particular
locality where it is used. It is used instead of
ganja.
24. No classes of people eat bhang. There are
several who drink bhang. They are scattered all
over the district and it is difficult to say the pro¬
portion.
25. Ganja—Slightly on the increase.
Ganja.
Siddhi.
Charas.
M. S. C. M. S. C. M. S. C. M. S. C. Nil.
1890-91 37—24—7
7—27—10
1891-92 32—20—9 (5—3—14
decreased)
7—25—8 (0—2—2
decreased)
1892-93 38-25-1 (6-5-8
increased).
7—36—0 (0—10—8
increased).
26. (a) 3
(b) 1
(c) 5
(d) 1
Out of every 10 consumers.
27. Generally from the lower class who work in
the field or as coolies, bearers, and cart-drivers.
28. Ganja—
(a) 1/8th of a tola a day, costing 9 pies.
(b) 1/4th of a tola, costing 6 pies or 1/2 anna
a day.
Siddhi and charas I cannot say.
29. With ganja and charas tobacco is generally
used, and with siddhi, pepper and other spices are
used. Dhatura is occasionally used with siddhi to
increase the intoxicating power. Yes, I have
heard of such a thing as bhang massala, but I
do not know its ingredients.
30. They are generally taken in company,
and seldom used in solitude. Females take siddhi,
but only males take siddhi, charas and ganja.
Their use is not confined to any time of life. In
youth, people learn to use them. Children do not
use any of them.
31. Yes, and once contracted it is difficult to
break off; especially in the case of those who
smoke ganja.
Siddhi and charas can be easily given up. In
the case of ganja there is a tendency to increase
the dose.
32. On the Dasami day of Durga Puja every
Hindu after evening drinks siddhi. Yes; this
custom is an old one; has the sanction of religion.
The use in this case is generally temperate and
rarely excessive. No, it does not lead to the
formation of a habit but it is injurious to those
who drink much.
33. Ganja and charas consumption is regarded
with dislike. Those who use them are ridiculed
and laughed at. Those who take them are
generally short tempered and are apt to do wrong
when under their influence. I do not know of
any custom of worshipping the plant.
34. I believe the consumers would suffer serious
privation if compelled to forego the consumption
of the drug. But this opinion is formed on what
I have heard, and I am not able to say whether
it is correct or to give details.
35. (a) No.
(b) Very likely.
(c) Only by a special inquisitorial establish¬
ment.
(d) Yes, I believe so.
(e) Probably not.
(f) The prohibition is almost certain to be
followed by resort to alcoholic stimulants or other
drugs.
36. No.
40. Not as far as I am aware. Siddhi is used
for cattle disease.
41. (a) Moderate use promotes appetite.
(b) Gives staying power after severe exertion
or exposure.
The lower classes of people use the drug for the
above purposes. I refer to the moderate occa¬
sional and moderate habitual use.
42. I believe an adult is not harmed by smok¬
ing ganja provided he gets proper nourishment,
because the moderate use of it increases the appe¬
tite and gives much relief after a hard work.
43. Sometimes they become offensive to their
neighbours and others who visit them at the time
they are under the influence of ganja.
44. No effect, It is probably refreshing only.
Not intoxicating. To the rest of these questions
I am not able to reply, except that it is said to
create appetite.
45. Yes, it probably has a bad effect on the
moral character. It does not impair the con¬
stitution. It does not injure digestion. It may
cause any of these diseases. It impairs the
moral sense and makes a man lazy and stupid.
The moderate use does not produce insanity, I
believe. I am not aware of any such cases.
46. It makes a man weak in physique and
mind. It weakens the constitution. It produces
loss of appetite. It causes chest disease. It
impairs the moral sense and makes a man lazy.
It produces insanity sometimes.
47 and 48. No.
49 and 50. I cannot say.
51. Most of the bad characters take ganja,
either moderately or in excess.
53. Yes, probably. I know of no such case.
54 and 55. I cannot say.
56. Hemp taken moderately is not so harmful
as that taken in excess. The effects I am told
cannot be modified by the admixture of other
substances.
57. I am not aware of this.
58. It is working well and capable of no
improvement, as far as I am aware except great
watchfulness.
60 and 61. It is not produced in this district,
and I cannot give an opinion.
62 to 64. No.
65. Yes.
66. There are different rates of taxation for
different kinds of ganja, as to which I have no
criticism to offer.
67. No.
68. No such houses. They should not be
licensed because it may tend to increased consump¬
tion.
69. No, it is not necessary.
70. No. There is no general use of untaxed
drugs. In rare instances the Bairagis use the wild
hemp for drink.