447
either ganja or charas. But they sometimes con-
sume bhang.
32. In Holi and Dasahara bhang is consumed.
The use of the drug is not essential, but has been
sanctioned by custom, and, by association, is looked
upon as essential. Generally the use is temperate,
and is not likely to lead to the formation of
habit.
33. Public opinion sanctions the moderate use
of bhang. The use of ganja is always in disrepute,
except in the case of ascetics. This sentiment is
is due to the bad effects produced by ganja, espe-
cially the irritable temper and impulsive violence
generally noticed in the consumer.
Ganja-
consumer is a word of reproach, meaning one who
acts as if he has lost all sense. There is no custom
of worshipping the hemp plant.
34. It will be a serious privation to ganja-
smokers to forego the consumption of the drug,
only when the practice is old and becomes a
habit. Charas is not habitually used in smoking.
The foregoing of the drug will not be a serious
privation. The consumption of bhang is an inve-
terate habit with many, and the foregoing of the
drug will be a serious privation to many.
35. It would not be feasible to prohibit the use
of ganja and bhang, but it would be feasible to
prohibit the use of charas. Certainly there will
be illicit consumption of ganja and bhang. The
prohibition of these drugs would occasion serious
discontent among the consumers. As the prohibi-
tion will affect Naga Sadhus, who are very assertive
of their rights and fearlessly bold, and a large
number of people of the illiterate classes, it may
lead to some sort of political danger.
36. The prohibition cannot be followed by
recourse to alcoholic stimulants in the case of
Vaisbnavas and Nanaksahis, who may, as a last
resort, take to opium, though it is hated at present
by many.
40. Bhang is prescribed for diarrhœa and indi-
gestion by kavirajes. It is also used in the treat-
ment of cattle disease.
42. I consider the moderate use of bhang to be
harmless, as far as physical health is concerned.
I have seen hundreds of moderate consumers of
bhang keeping good health and good temper.
Excesses only lead to forgetfulness. But I con-
demn intoxication in any form, however slight, as
injurious to a man's spiritual development.
43. Moderate consumers of bhang are inoffen-
sive to their neighbours. Moderate consumers of
ganja are rarely to be seen. All ganja-smokers
are more or less offensive. Smokers of charas are
almost invariably excessive consumers of ganja, so
they are offensive.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use
of bhang on the habitual consumers is nil. After
an hour or so it produces intoxication. It creates
appetite. The effect lasts for 12 hours or so.
There are no after-effects. The want of subse-
quent gratification produces a longing as well as
uneasiness.
45. Habitual moderate use of bhang does not
produce noxious effects on the body nor on the
mind, except forgetfulness, when the use is long
and continued. Moral effects, as they are under-
stood, are not also bad, for bhang undoubtedly
produces a serene temper and quiet disposition.
But effects on the spiritual man are decidedly
injurious. Bhang has none of the bad effects
detailed in the question except laziness. Ganja
impairs the constitution and makes a man thin.
It injures the digestion and causes loss of appetite.
It causes dysentery and affects the lungs. It
impairs the moral sense. It does not induce
laziness, nor does it necessarily induce habits of
immorality or debauchery. It deadens the intel-
lect.
The aforesaid effects follow both moderate and
excessive use of ganja. Even habitual moderate
use produces some sort of temporary insanity.
But excessive use generally produces temporary
insanity, and, in many cases, lasting and per-
manent insanity. The symptoms of insanity are
of a violent character. The person affected is
subject to fits of anger, when he forgets himself
entirely. The power of reasoning is gradually
lost. When the fits pass away, I have found
some affected persons repentant and amenable to
reasoning.
46. In the case of insanity which I have
noticed, weakness of brain had been previously
induced by debauchery, and smoking of ganja
affected the weak brain. My impression from
about a dozen cases known to me is that a person
not given to sexual excesses may become violent
in temper by excessive or moderate use of
ganja, but they do not become insane. But when
debauchery is accompanied with excessive smok-
ing of ganja, some sort of insanity, temporary or
lasting, follows.
51. I do not think moderate use of any of these
drugs has anything to do with crime.
53. Excessive indulgence in ganja may incite
to unpremeditated crime, generally violent.
54. Not that I know.
55. I do not think.
Complete stupefaction
without admixture cannot be induced.
208. Evidence of BABU MAHENDRA CHANDRA MITRA, Kayasth, Pleader, Honorary
Magistrate, and Municipal Chairman, Naihati, 24-Parganas.
1. As a vakil coming in personal contact with
various classes of people of Lower Bengal.
2. May be accepted. In or about Calcutta the
drugs are known as siddhi or bhang, charas and
ganja.
3. Abundantly grows in Rajshahi district.
4. The plant is known as siddhi and the leaves
as bhang or siddhi.
5. In damp soil the plant grows.
6. Dense.
7. Not cultivated, but it grows wild.
(a) No.
(b) No.
(c) Yes.
(d) None.
Small in Nadia District, extensive in Rajshahi.
10. I am told that the cultivators of the hemp
do not form a special class.
11. There is no cultivation. The wild plant