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177. Evidence of GOSSAIN MOHENDRA GIR, Sanyasi, Zamindar, English Bazar,
Malda.
1. These answers have been framed upon in-
formation obtained from smokers, consumers, and
dealers of hemp drugs,
2. These definitions may be accepted for this
district, except that round ganja is not prepared
by rolling under foot, but it is rolled by hand, and
that the dry leaves of the hemp plant is also called
"bijoya." These products are locally known by
the names given in paragraph 2.
3. In this district, the hemp plant grows spon-
taneously. It grows also in hilly districts.
4. The hemp plant is known by the names of
ganja and bhang. The plants which do not flower
are known as bhang.
5. Not known.
6. The growth is ordinarily dense.
7. Not in this district.
10. No, they do not form a special class.
13. The cultivation of the hemp plant for
ganja is not restricted in this province.
14. So far as it is known, ganja is only pre-
pared in this province, and in Rajshahi District.
The extent to which it is prepared is not known.
15. Some drink bhang by grinding it with
pepper, sugar, milk and water, and some swallow
it with water. Ganja is generally smoked by
mixing with tobacco leaves.
18. Ganja and bhang do deteriorate by keeping.
They lose their effect in time. They keep good
for about a year. The causes of deterioration
and the measures to prevent it are not known.
19. Ganja and charas are used only for smoking.
20. Mostly the lower classes of people smoke
ganja. Members of the upper classes smoke it
but rarely; sanyasis smoke it as a rule. Charas
is not used in this district.
21. The flat ganja is preferred for smoking. The
people inhabiting the Eastern portion of the
province prefer round ganja, and those that live
in the West prefer flat ganja.
22. Not known.
23. No.
24. All classes of people drink bhang in cases
where opportunity is not got for drinking. Re-
course is had to eating also. The people inhabit-
ing the Eastern portion of these provinces are less
addicted to it than those who live in the West.
25. The use of ganja is on the decrease. The
reason is, therefore, attributable to the high price.
Nothing is known as to the use of charas and
bhang.
29. Tobacco leaves are ordinarily, and powders
of sandal wood are occasionally, mixed with ganja.
Sugar, rose, seeds of cucumber, pepper, mohuri,
ice, elaichi, milk, badam, posto-dana are occa-
sionally, and mohuri and pepper are ordinarily,
mixed with bhang. Dhatura is seldom used.
Tobacco leaves are mixed with ganja for preventing
cough, and powders of sandal wood are mixed for
perfuming the ganja. The ingredients that are
occasionally mixed with ganja are for the purposes
of luxury, and the ingredients that are ordinarily
mixed with bhang are for cooling purposes. The
answer of the second paragraph of this question
is not known.
30. These drugs are consumed both in solitude
and in company, but their extent is not known.
Yes, it is mainly confined to the male sex. The
practice is not limited to any time of life. It is
not usual for children.
31. The habit of consuming ganja is easily for-
med but it is not the case with bhang. As regards
charas, nothing is known. Yes, the habit of
smoking ganja is difficult to break off. There is a
tendency in case of all the drugs for the moderate
habit to develop to the excessive.
32. There is no custom, either social or religious,
in regard to the consumption of any of the drugs.
The answer of the remaining portion is not there-
fore necessary.
33. The consumption of these drugs is generally
regarded as degradation. In public opinion, the
practice is condemned. As they are intoxicating
drugs, their use is considered disreputable. There
is no such custom of worshipping the hemp plant.
34. It would be a serious privation to the con-
sumers of these drugs to forego their consumption.
It would affect the health of the consumers. The
answer of the last portion is not known.
35. It is not feasible to prohibit the use of any
or all of these drugs. The drug would be con-
sumed illicitly. If the price of the drugs be con-
siderably raised, the prohibition may be enforced.
The prohibition would occasion discontent among
the consumers. The discontent would not amount
to political danger. The prohibition may be fol-
lowed by recourse to other drugs.
36, 37, 38 and 39. Not known.
40. Not known. The bhang is used in the
treatment of cattle disease.
41. (a) The moderate use of ganja, bhang and
charas is beneficial in effects as digestive and as a
remedy against cold.
(b) To give a staying power under severe exer-
tion and exposure, and alleviate fatigue.
Lower order of people generally use these drugs
for the above purposes, but their proportion is not
known. The moderate habitual use of these drugs
is referred to here.
42. Not necessary.
43. Yes.
62. There is no necessity of putting any control
over the cultivation of the hemp plant for the
production of bhang.
69. The wishes of the people are not consulted
before a shop is opened in a locality. The local
public opinion ought to be consulted.
178. Evidence of BABU KALIKISTO SARKAR, Kayasth, Talukdar, Kasundi, Jessore.
1. By enquiries.
2. Yes, the definitions given by Dr. Prain may
be accepted. It is known by the name as given
by Dr. Prain.