449
together in an assembly. The priest throws the
water over their heads. The bhang is then circu-
lated. It is a harmless one. I think it is essen-
tial. It is generally temperate, and by no means
excessive. The drug is often used on such occa-
sions as a sleeping draught to give tone to the
system after the wear and tear of a toilsome day.
33. It is an opprobrium to the gentleman or
Bhadralok classes to make a public display of
their habit of smoking ganja or charas. The plant
is never known to be an object of religious wor-
ship or veneration.
34. It would be a serious thing to several class-
es of consumers if they are required to forego the
use of the drugs. Bhang is a remedy to those
who are suffering from chronic bowel complaints
or want of appetite. Ganja is not only a solace,
but a necessity of life to persons who work in the
sun and keep up nights, or who undergo hard
manual work.
35. It would not be feasible to prohibit the use
of this drug by compulsory legislation. The use of
the drugs (ganja and bhang) may be viewed as a
necessity considering the climate of the country
and the condition of its people. The use of the
drug is so bound up with the habits of the people
that its prohibition will be considered a hardship.
The use of the drugs is so great a necessity to them
that it would be practically impossible to prohibit
the use. The result of the prohibition is appre-
hended to bring illicit consumption to a large
extent. Certainly the prohibition will occasion
serious discontent. Of course there is no political
danger because the discontented people are not
many in number in comparison of the population
of the country. The prohibition will be followed
by recourse (a) to alcoholic stimulants.
Another grave issue hangs upon the question.
There can be no doubt that the drug in one form
or other is in extensive use at the present time;
and that from ages it has been so used is evi-
denced in the ancient works of Hindu sages and
philosophers. Their Great God—Mahadeb—was
a votary of this drug, and ancient writings have
sanctified its use on that account. There are
numerous passages in the writings of the ancient
sages in which the taking of siddhi (bhang) is
strongly recommended. For instance, in the Debi
Purana, a book held in high respect amongst the
Tantriks of this country, occurs the following
passage:—"It being said that siddhi is contem-
plation." "O Goddess, drink it for purposes of
contemplation, as by drinking it, ever and anon,
Mahadeva attained immorality." I venture to
think that it would not be good policy to deprive
the country of its use. Moreover, the drug is an
intoxicant and very many people take it with the
object of obtaining the relief and happiness which
it furnishes to its users. Thus, the craving for
the intoxicant has become the prevailing passion
of the people, and if law removes the drug from
the category of licensed article for popular con-
sumption, popular taste and tendency for intoxi-
cants will surely be diverted to something else,
and that something is as surely to be the poisonous
drink which goes by the name of imported liquor.
The prohibitive enactment would thus lead the
people from a less to a greater evil. Before the
days of the Excise Law, people used the drug
with perfect freedom; and if in those days
the people had the good sense of using the
drug in such proportions as to avoid the disasters
of excessive indulgence, the introduction of the
restrictions under the Excise Law still further
advanced the cause of moderation, and protected
the people against possible extravagance in its
use. The Excise Law itself is a safeguard against
the possible evil.
Viewing the question from these points, prohi-
bition is neither feasible nor desirable. All that
can be recommended in this connection, if we
assume that, from informations gathered that there
is evidence of demoralization of popular tendencies,
and a depreciation of popular energies, that the
law may be modified so as to stay the course of
those evils and save the people from themselves.
36. There is good reason for thinking that
cheap alcohol has replaced ganja and charas to a
considerable extent. I am aware of people formerly
addicted to the above drugs taking to alcohol-
drinking.
38. The intoxication produced by round, flat,
and chur ganja differs in their effect in degree.
Round is the strongest, flat less so, and the chur
still less.
39. The general belief is that smoking and eat-
ing bhang is less injurious than smoking ganja
and charas.
40. Yes, bhang and ganja form ingredients for
standard medicines of the kabiraji system. Bhang
is used in the treatment of cattle disease.
41. I can speak of ganja and bhang only.
An aged labourer is enabled to carry on his
vocation without feeling any sense of fatigue.
Dyspeptic persons have their appetites stimulated
and day-labourers earn greater wages from the
invigorating virtues of the drug. Boatmen ward
off cold and stand in a better frame of body to
work in all weathers. Mendicants feel the same
advantages in their nomad condition. Bad charac-
ters feel more venturesome in committing misdeeds,
and immoral persons to enjoy the pleasures of
licentious habits. Men with religious tendencies
devote themselves to the contemplation of the
higher concerns of life, and for these objects and
benefits and pleasures, the use of the drug is
so widely diffused. Ganja has a famous name
Turitanand which the consumers have given it in
their affectionate regard for its virtues. It gives
delight in a moment.
(a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(d) Read answer 20.
I am informed men of all classes of the com-
munity make use of bhang and ganja for medici-
nal purposes.
42. The use of bhang and ganja is not only
harmless, but beneficial to the people, as explained
in answer 20.
43. Yes, generally inoffensive to the neighbours,
but they are irritable.
44. The use of bhang and ganja is refreshing
and exhilarating to habitual consumers; it pro-
duces no intoxication. It does not allay hunger;
rather it creates appetite. The effect lasts for two
hours or so, or even less than that. It produces no
after-effects.
The effects, apparent from the use of the drug in
different forms, do not vary much in ganja or charas,
perhaps because they are so nearly allied to each
other, and bhang being consumed in the form of a
drink does not give facility for using moderate
quantities when the drink begins to operate.
When the drink begins to operate the first drow-
siness makes the patient helpless for further
efforts or liking for the drink, and generally he
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