401
3. Jessore. I am not aware of the particular
locality where it is abundant.
4. It is known only as wild bhang.
5. As far as I know, wild hemp generally
grows in a little dry and high land.
6. The growth of the wild hemp in this district
is not ordinarily dense, but scattered.
7. There is no cultivation of hemp plant in this
district now, but I am informed that formerly in
Kotchandpur in the sudder sub-division of Jes-
sore there was cultivation of hemp plant.
8. Nil.
9. I have no experience of the method of hemp
plant cultivation.
10. I am informed that people who cultivate
hemp plant are of the same class as the other
agricultural cultivators.
11. As far as I know, plants cultivated for the
production of ganja are never raised from the seeds
of the wild hemp.
12. No.
13. As far as I know, in the lower province of
Bengal hemp plant for ganja is only cultivated
in the Naogaon sub-division of the Rajshahi Dis-
trict and in some parts of the Bogra District. I
am not aware why these two districts are selected.
No, the cultivation is not common to all districts.
I am not aware if there are any special conditions
of climate and soil, etc., necessary for the cultiva-
tion of hemp. I am not also aware if there is any
part in this province where its cultivation would
be impossible.
14. In the Jessore District neither ganja nor
charas nor bhang is prepared.
15. I am not aware.
16. In the Jessore District bhang is not prepared
by the people in their houses. Yes, as far as I
am aware, bhang can be prepared from the hemp
plant wherever grown. No, neither ganja nor
charas can be prepared from the wild plant wher-
ever grown.
17. By people of the cultivating class.
18. I am not aware.
19. Ganja and charas are generally used for
smoking, but sometimes ganja is used for medici-
nal purposes.
20. In the district of Jessore generally, people
of the lower class, such as palki-bearers, domes,
bagdis and buna-coolies smoke ganja, and their
number is small. Sanyasis, baisnabs and fakirs
also smoke ganja, but charas is not generally used
in this district.
21. In the Jessore District, as far as I am aware,
flat and chur are preferred for smoking.
22. I am not aware.
23. I am not aware that bhang is ever used for
smoking.
24. Up-country people generally drink bhang.
25. The use of ganja, charas and bhang, as
far as I am aware, is not on the increase.
26. In my estimation—
(a) habitual moderate consumers, 50 per
cent;
(b) habitual excessive consumers, 5 per
cent;
(c) occasional moderate consumers, 10 per
cent;
(d) occasional excessive consumers, 2 per
cent.
27. From the lower class of the people, such
as bagdi, dome, and palki-bearers, etc., hard
labour and keeping company with habitual smokers
mainly lead to the practices.
28 In my estimation-
(a) to habitual moderate consumers, one
pice per diem;
(b) to habitual excessive consumers, four
pice per diem.
29. Dried tobacco leaves and tobacco leaves
sweetened with molasses are often mixed with
ganja to my knowledge. Dhatura is never so
mixed. The object of these admixtures is to
make the ganja a little more mild and sweet too.
I know of no preparation which is sold for the
purpose of being mixed with any of these drugs.
With bhang I am informed that spices, such as
cardamom, saffron and pepper, are used for drink-
ing purposes. Milk and sugar are also mixed
with it.
30. To a great extent these drugs are used in
company, and to some extent these drugs are also
used in solitude. No, lower class of prostitutes
are in the habit of using these drugs. No; as far
as I am aware it is not usual for children to con-
sume any of these drugs.
31. Yes, the habit of consuming these drugs is
easily formed, and it is also difficult to break it
off when once contracted. No, not necessarily.
32. On the last day of Durga Puja, i.e.,
Dashami day, some people after their return home
in the evening drink a little of bhang, and as far
as I am aware the custom is never regarded as
essential. It is always temperate. It is neither
injurious nor is it likely to lead to the formation
of habit.
33. The consumption of these drugs is not re-
garded favourably. There is a tradition that god
Siva was very much addicted to the use of ganja
and bhang, so people when they smoke ganja or
drink bhang they have some religious sentiments,
but as far as I am aware there is no social public
opinion regarding it. I am not aware of any
custom of worshipping the hemp plant. The use
of ganja is to some extent in disrepute. It may
be attributed to the fact that men of the higher
class do not use it.
34. To some extent it would be a privation to
people who are in the habit of smoking ganja if
they are to forego the consumption of this drug.
35. In my humble opinion it would not be
feasible to prohibit the use of these drugs. If it
is so prohibited, there is every chance of the drug
being consumed illicitly. There is also every
chance of discontent among the consumers. Cer-
tainly these discontents would not amount to a
political danger. In my humble opinion the pro-
hibition would be followed by recourse to alcoholic
stimulants and other drugs. The prohibition can
be enforced by enhancing the present rate of
duties.
36. No.
37, 38, 39 and 40. Not aware.
41. I am informed that the moderate use of
bhang may be beneficial in its effect-
(a) as food accessory or digestive;
(b) to give staying power under severe
exertion or exposure, or to alleviate fati-
gue.
(c) The moderate use of ganja, I am also
informed, serves as a preventive of disease
in unhealthy places like Ranpur, etc.
3 H