7
34. (a) It would be a wicked thing to deprive
hardworking men, much exposed to weather, on
the mud soil, of their stimulant. Whether opium
or liquor could be substituted for it I can't say; but
there is a natural healthy craving for a stimulant,
and ganja seems to suit them best. On the drier
soils they drink fermented or distilled liquors in
preference. Price, however, affects this. Among
the Babus, ganja smoking is a vice, and it would
not hurt them to give it up.
(c) I cannot.
35. Prohibition quite feasible; but it would
require an army of detectives to enforce it. The
drug would undoubtedly be consumed illicitly.
Prohibition could not be enforced without such a
staff as we could not possibly pay for. We should
want a man in every village, and then could not
trust him. The discontent among consumers
would be enormous, as I think the illicit article
cultivated and prepared secretly would be most
inferior, while producing quite as strong effects if
used in sufficient quantities, as its cheapness would
make possible and easy. Whether such discon-
tent would amount to a political danger would
depend on the strength of the administration. It
would do so in a district under a native magistrate,
but not in a district properly officered, where the
magistrate had his police in hand. Even in the
latter case, I could not say that it would not be
dangerous that there should be such discontent
among the masses as there would be in an eastern
(mainly Muhammadan) district.
The prohibition would undoubtedly be followed
by recourse to other stimulants; but I should ex-
pect to find a general attempt to improve the cul-
tivation of the so-called wild bhang and to make
ganja of it. This could be done in every back-
yard in the country.
36. Not at present. We have increased the
taxation on alcohol to such an absurd extent in the
mud districts that people have taken to ganja
more than they otherwise would.
37. I do not know.
38. I believe no difference whatever.
39. Smoking is more intoxicating than drinking
bhang; but, where used in moderation, I should
not say that consumers get intoxicated at all—
only exhilarated and stimulated. A man can
smoke ganja, and go about his work and have a
healthy appetite.
40. (a) Decoction of bhang is often given, I
believe, as a mild stimulant. It warms the circu-
lation and brightens the eyes.
(b) I don't know.
41. (a) I should think so.
(b) I am certain of it. I have seen it again and
again.
(c) I certainly think so.
(d) I don't know.
I speak of moderate habitual smoking of ganja
by laborious men past middle age living a life of
exposure on a mud soil.
42. I think it beneficial under such conditions.
With a lot of effeminate Babus who never exert
themselves or use their muscles, it is neither bene-
ficial nor harmless.
43. Quite.
44. (b) Yes.
(c) No.
(d) Yes.
(e) No.
(f) As long as the effect on a moderate
European of a glass of beer and a pipe.
(g) No.
(h) Yes, I should say there is a craving when
the usual time for a smoke comes round.
45. I speak of the habitual moderate use only.
(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) I should say not in the least.
(f) No.
(g) I leave this to doctors; but I do not
believe in insanity produced by moderate habitual
smoking.
46. This is quite different. A badmash ganja
smoker is equal to any devilry, and I daresay
insanity is often caused in such cases. Such a
man is probably a debauchee in other ways. His
vice does not originate in ganja smoking, but may
be stimulated by it.
47. No.
48. I cannot give instances; I should expect
to find the habit hereditary, and the children in-
juriously affected.
49. I do not know. A man who smokes ganja
with a woman is just as likely to drink a bottle of
spirits—I can't say whether as an aphrodisiac or
only as part of his spree.
50. He would probably have a head next morn-
ing, and would be more likely to smoke exces-
sively than in moderation.
51. I should say that moderate consumption has
no connection with crime whatever; but I cannot
give statistics as to ganja smoking among crim-
inals.
52. I should expect to find excessive ganja smok-
ers among regular town badmashes, but I cannot
give facts.
53 and 54. I do not at this moment remember a
case but I have an impression that there are such
cases.
55. Never, I think. They would probably use
dhatura.
56 and 57. I don't know.
58. I think it works well. I have thought of
substituting a system of buying up ganja by
Government on the principle of the Opium De-
partment; but I do not think it would be a success.
59. I think it works fairly well.
60. I think we do fairly well; but I should like
to know what Dr. Prain suggests. No improve-
ment in the system has occurred to me.
61. Not produced.
62. Certainly. I am not sure if it would be
feasible. I have done a little towards extirpation
of the wild plant, but am very doubtful of success.
It grows everywhere, and we have no preventive
agency to speak of. Police and Excise Officers are
told to destroy the plant when they see it and warn
the cultivator, and if a man so warned were found
with the plant on his land again, I should presume
an intention of cultivating and not an accident.
63. I think we do fairly well.
64. No, we do pretty well. All I want is more
men, and those honest!
65. The taxation is high enough, but that on
alcohol is excessive. Ganja is now the cheaper
of the two, but I would not raise the taxation. I
would rather lower the absurd taxation on alcohol.
66. There is only one locality. I am inclined
to think that all ganja might pay the maximum
tax. I do not see why flat ganja should go into