476
and ganja. No particular form or ceremony need
be observed on such occasions, except that a number
of persons, generally those who are in the habit of
smoking ganja, meet together in a certain place
in the village, get a quantity of ganja, the chief
article of presentation to the god, together with
some sweetmeats and betel leaves and betel nuts,
offer them to the deity and then help themselves
to these. The ceremony is not unusually attended
with songs. But the ganja forms the essential
element in this festival. Every one present on
such occasions is bound to smoke. To decline is
considered sacrilege. It is on these assemblies
that many persons imbibe the habit. The devotees
in their zeal often run into excess, while the in-
nocent people attending such meetings run the risk
of being converted into the faith and of gradually
forming the habit.
33. Any one addicted to the use of ganja is
looked down upon as morally degraded, although
there seems to be no public opinion against the
practice in either a social or religious point of view.
But such is not the case with regard to the use of
bhang, which is a comparatively innocuous drug.
34. To the labouring classes of people, which
form the bulk of the ganja-smoking population in
these districts, it would be a serious privation to
prohibit its use.
35. As regards ganja, though it may be possible
by legislative enactment or raising the taxation to
control its use to a certain extent, yet it would
not be feasible to prohibit its consumption alto-
gether for in that case the inevitable result will
be the illicit consumption. The prohibition no
doubt will be attended with serious discontent
among the consumers, but is not likely to create
any political danger. If ganja is prohibited, the
consumers will naturally resort to dhatura or some
such narcotic drug, but not to alcoholic stimulants,
inasmuch as the latter would be more costly
luxury.
36. Among the higher classes of people al-
cohol has to a large extent taken the place of
ganja. This is due to the introduction of Western
civilization in our society as well as to the outstill
system, which has placed liquor within easy reach
of every body. That the use of alcohol is really
on the increase is evidenced by the fact that liquor
shops are now a days to be seen scattered broad-
cast over the country not excepting even the re-
mote and outlying mufassal stations.
40. Bhang is prescribed sometimes by native
physicians for its medicinal qualities, but it is not
known to be used in the treatment of cattle-
disease.
41. (a) Moderate use of bhang is beneficial in
its effects in cases of disorder of the digestive
functions;
(b) while ganja used in a moderate quantity,
gives considerable relief to those who are fatigued
and exhausted under severe bodily exertions. For
this property of the ganja the labouring classes
of people consider it to be one of the necessaries
of their life.
42. Experience shows that those who are in the
habit of moderately using either of these drugs do
not suffer bodily or mentally to any appreciable
extent. It is the excess only that brings on
bodily ailments as well as mental deterioration.
43. Yes.
44. Its immediate effect is refreshing. It does
not produce intoxication. Instead of allaying
hunger it rather sharpens appetite. The effect
lasts for a short time, and the after-effect is a
slight mental depression. The want of subse-
quent gratification produces some uneasiness.
45. A very moderate use of these drugs is not
known to produce any of these effects.
46. But the excessive habitual use of ganja
affects both the mind and the body injuriously. It
often brings on insanity, and sometimes causes
death by producing dangerous maladies, such as
dysentery, asthma and others.
47. It is neither hereditary habit, nor seems to
affect in any way the children of the consumer.
51. Necessarily, the moderate use of ganja or
bhang has no connection with crime in general, or
with crime of any special character.
52. But when excessively used, it sometimes in-
cites people to acts of violence.
53. Yes; in some cases.
54. Not often.
55. When administered in large doses it may
induce complete stupefaction, especially in those
who are unaccustomed to its use even without
admixture.
56. It becomes much stronger in its effects when
mixed with dhatura. This is the drug with which
ganja is rarely, if ever, mixed by people. The effect
of taking such a mixture (a) even moderately is
much more pernicious than that produced by it
when taken singly. But the use of it in a large
dose is attended with dangerous consequences. It
acts instantaneously in the brain, and produces
temporary insanity. Ganja is generally mixed
with tobacco for smoking. When thus mixed it
becomes milder in its effects.
67. The incidence of taxation falls rather lightly
on the consumers. There is no reason why ganja
should not be as highly taxed as the alcohol. An
increase in the present amount of taxation may
not be unwelcome, as it would augment the
Government revenue and at the same time deter
many people from ruining themselves by excessive
use.
69. The wishes of the people are not consulted
by the authorities, while granting license for open-
ing a ganja shop in any locality, nor is it so much
necessary, as the existence of such a shop does not
in any way interfere with the public tranquillity.
223. Evidence of BABU TARA NATH CHUCKERBUTTY, Brahmin, Government
Pleader, Faridpur.
1. In course of my dealings with the inhabitants
of the district of Faridpur, I have gathered the
information.
2. I think these definitions may be accepted as
correct. The names in use in this district are
siddhi or bhang, charas and ganja.
3. The hemp plants from which ganja is pro-
duced do not grow spontaneously in this district,
but bhang plant grows spontaneously.
4. It is known by name bhang plant; it is the
male hemp plant.
6. Wild bhang plant grows dense.