59
44. Yes; it is refreshing and produces intoxica-
tion, though its intensity varies with persons of
different constitutions. Bhang creates appetite.
The effect lasts in the case of bhang ten or twelve
hours and in the case of ganja and charas two or
three hours. The after-effects of the use of ganja
are dullness, languor, and debility. The want of
subsequent gratification produces intense desire
and uneasiness.
45. If milk and other nutritious food is taken,
the moderate consumers of ganja keep very good
health. They can work very hard, and are seen
in no way deficient, either mentally or morally.
The habitual moderate use does not produce any
of the noxious effects mentioned in this question.
Bhang is perfectly innocuous.
46. The habitual excessive use of all these
drugs produces all these noxious effects.
47. No.
49. No.
51 and 52. No; I do not think the excessive or
moderate use of ganja has any connection with the
commission of crime in general or with crime of
any special character, or with the preparation to
commit such crime.
53 to 55. No.
56. Bhang used even in moderation with milk
or sugar causes more, and when drunk with salt and
black-pepper produces less, intoxication. Ganja
smoked with tobacco leaves produces ordinary
intoxication. In a very few cases dhatura is used
with ganja for personal consumption with the
object of obtaining the highest inebriation.
57. See answer to question 39.
58. The present system of excise administra-
tion in respect of hemp drugs is working fairly
well, but not quite satisfactorily. Various ex-
periments were made in this district for regulat-
ing the taxation of ganja, chiefly by means of
license fees. With a view to obtain the highest
amount of revenue, the farming or monopoly sys-
tem was gradually introduced till nearly three-
fourths of the total number of shops passed into the
hands of the monopolists, who offered very large
increase of fees. This tended to force up the selling
price to an abnormally high rate, and to restrict seri-
ously the consumption, to the great hardship of the
consumers, who formed the bulk of the poorer
classes. Illicit sales sprang up. The practice of
storing up wild bhang became prevalent, and
there were many convictions for illicit possession
of bhang. Thus, what was gained in license fee
was lost in duty. To remedy the abuse, the
monopoly was broken up and the licenses were
settled with independent purchasers at less fees.
The prices went down to the level of the adjoining
district, and the sales received an expansion. The
consumers felt great relief, and illicit sales gradu-
ally disappeared. The decrease in license fees was
more than counterbalanced by the increase in duty.
From last year, however, the upset prices have
been fixed at very high rates, without regard to
local conditions.
This has been aggravated by the steady en-
hancement of duty. The independent vendors being
unable to pay increased fees have been driven out
by a body of monopolists. The old state of things
has again been revived. Ganja is being sold at
prohibitive prices in the town—R32 to 40 a seer.
The consumption has again been greatly reduced.
I would break up the monopoly again by reducing
the license fees, which should be fixed according
to the circumstances peculiar to each locality.
The upset prices fixed by the Collector should not
be raised by the higher authorities without
adequate reasons and without consulting him.
The checking of consumption should be secured
by the raising of duty and not by increasing the
license fees. The present mode of fixing the fees
by auction may be continued. People can never
be made sober by compulsion. Ganja is taken by
a large number of poor people as a palliative for
pain induced by hard physical labour. It is also
taken for the power it gives to the consumers to
bear hardship, privation, and exposure in all sorts
of weather. Some also take the drug for its
medicinal properties. The number of excessive
consumers is certainly not large. To deprive a
large body of consumers who do not misuse
the drug is not a sound and good policy.
59. Except on the lines indicated above, the
present system does not, in my opinion, admit of
improvement.
60. I am told that ganja is frequently smuggled
from the producing tracts, This is possible,
because the stock of the cultivators is not properly
taken. It should be actually weighed. Mere
numbering the bundles is not sufficient, as a dis-
honest cultivator can pick out sticks of ganja from
several packets and make them into a separate
bundle for sale. Ganja is also, I believe, picked
out in the fields and sold by travellers. It should
be placed on the same footing as opium and declared
contraband when duty on it has not been paid.
61. Charas is not produced, I think, in Bengal.
62. I do not think any such control feasible.
The plant grows wild all over the province, more
or less, and to make the owners of land on which
it grows destroy it on pain of penalty might be
oppressive. Recently such a measure was taken;
but it was given up as being almost impracticable.
63. None.
64. No.
65. Yes.
66. Yes; according to the proportion of flowers
each variety of ganja contains.
67. None; except to some minor points noticed
in answer to question 58 above.
68. Yes; the practice of smoking ganja on the
premises of the shop is not very common; but I
think it is least objectionable, as it does not lead
to any social or moral vice.
69. This is being done in recent years. The
excise officers inspecting shops always listen to
complaints whenever made. As a matter of fact,
the people have not the same prejudice against
these shops as they have against the liquor shops,
unless they are roused by interested persons. Any
complaint or objection on the part of the public is
always considered.
70. Not in this district. I believe untaxed
siddhi obtained from the wild bhang plants is in
use at some places. No case of smuggling in ganja
has yet come to notice.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—I have been sixteen years in the
service working in Behar and Eastern and Nor-
thern Bengal. The greater portion of my service
has been passed in Behar.
L 2