228
42. The moderate use is harmless, as it has no
after-effect on the system.
43. Yes.
44. (a) It invigorates.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes.
(d) No.
(e) No.
(f) One hourin case of ganja and charas, and
three to four hours in case of siddhi.
(h) Produces longing in case of habitual con-
sumers.
45. (a) No.
(b) In case of intemperate use it does.
(c) No.
(d) Yes, in case of intemperate use.
(e) No.
(f) The moderate use does not deaden the
intellect or produce insanity. It is said that
adulteration of the drugs with other poisonous
ingredients, such as dhatura, etc., produces in-
sanity. During the course of my inspection of
ganja, etc., shops for the last ten years, I fre-
quently met several insane persons who are in
the habit of smoking ganja. Their object of
frequenting the shop is to beg ganja from the
purchaser. The general impression is that their
insanity is due to ganja smoking. In most cases
I found on enquiry that their insanity was due
to family misfortune, etc., and some have taken
to smoking ganja after being insane. In only
few cases no cause could be ascertained, and
their insanity may be ascribed to the excessive
use of the drug. All the insane persons I met
were temperate, and they could tell their cause
of insanity to some extent. I am of opinion
that persons suffering from mental anxiety or
brain disease use the drug to obtain relief. I
know of one insane whom I lately met at Ghugu-
danga shop. This man was a station master
before; but having had some family misfortune
he became insane, and now has indulged in the
use of the drug.
46. No remarks.
47 and 48. No.
49 and 50. (a) Yes.
(b) It is used so by the lowest class of prosti-
tutes, who frequent mêlas or fairs.
(c) I am not aware of.
(d) No.
51, 52, 53, 54 and 55. No.
56. I have no personal knowledge of admixture
of other substances than what I have already
noted.
57. I do not know that ganja and charas are
eaten or drunk.
58. The Excise Administration of Bengal with
respect of hemp drugs is working well; but I
consider it still capable of improvement in some
respect.
59. The following are some of the suggestions
indicating the direction in which improvement is
possible:—
1. At present there is no sufficient check over
the warehouses. There is great difficulty
to weigh ganja accurately in the stock
on account of bag, straw, ropes, etc. One
seer pack, like opium cake, should be
made, if possible.
2. The warehouses must be all built in the
kutcherry compound at the expense of
Government in a standard plan, and rent
should be charged from the goladars.
3. The warehouses must be in charge of some
responsible officer. No deliveries of
ganja should be made by any ministerial
clerk or muharrir and executive officer
below the rank of Sub-Inspector or
Superintendent drawing less than R50.
The present rule is not practicable, and is
therefore not strictly observed.
4. There should be only one sort of ganja
when there is no difference in narcotic
effect of each. The different sorts only
increase confusion in the stock and
account.
5. The duty of the drugs should be increased.
I think the duty of ganja should not be
less than R8, that of siddhi R1, and
that of charas R10. The present rate of
duty is not sufficient, for now one pice
worth of any of these drugs can intoxi-
cate a man.
6. The quantity of ganja and siddhi which a
person is allowed to possess, should be
reduced from twenty tolas to five tolas.
This will minimize smuggling and at
the same time will act as prohibition to
the consumer, who has a tendency to go
to excess.
62. Yes, the cultivation should be controlled.
This would not be wholly feasible, but if special
officers are appointed to watch the cultivation of
hemp plant for the production of bhang, then I
think there will be a great check.
63 and 64. No.
65. The taxation is reasonable with reference to
each other, but not to alcohol or other intoxicants.
I think their duty is capable of being increased.
I have suggested this in my answer to question
59.
66. Yes, for flat and round have twigs which
the chur has not. If different sorts of ganja are
kept, then they should be taxed in proportion to
the narcotic matter that each is found to contain.
67. Yes, as remarked above.
68. There are licensed shops for the sale of these
drugs; but ordinarily these drugs are not smoked
or drunk in the premises of the shop. The shops
are not disreputable; generally mudi shopkeepers
are the licensed holders of these shops.
69. Ordinarily the wishes of the people are not
consulted or considered when a shop is opened
in any locality. On the application of vendors
and local inhabitants, licenses are granted after
due enquiry at the auction settlement with the
sanction of the Board. I do not think it is neces-
sary to consult or consider public opinion, as these
shops are not a nuisance.
70. No. Yes, duty is paid in respect of ganja
and charas, but not of siddhi. The latter is used
to some extent illicitly, but the use is not
general.