18
I have not studied the question of production
or cultivation in other provinces. Nor have I con-
sidered the question of prohibiting production
elsewhere than at the centre. But the experience
of Bengal shows this to be feasible.
I do not express any opinion at present as to
total prohibition. That is the question now under
trial before the Commission.
I have observed a proposal in the replies to the
Commission's questions by the officer in charge of
the Rajshahi tract, that Government should pur-
chase the ganja from the cultivator, store it, and
distribute it to the distant districts where it is con-
sumed. If this proposal is under the serious con-
sideration of the Commission, I desire to record
an opinion against it. It would be impossible for
Government to purchase from the cultivators as
private dealers do. The experience gained by the
State in regard to opium, and by planters in regard
to indigo shows that when there is only one pur-
chaser in the field, he must make his arrangements
before the crop is grown on a system of contract
and advances. I do not think it desirable to
undertake such a business in regard to a commod-
ity for which there is so little demand, merely for
the object of intercepting the moderate profits now
made by the wholesale dealers.
The system by which the right of wholesale
vend is put up to auction with the condition that
the wholesale dealer shall sell to the retail dealer
at a fixed price is new to me, and I am not pre-
pared to give an opinion on it at such short notice.
Appendix to MR. NOLAN'S evidence.
The consumption of ganja is much smaller
than is popularly supposed. All Bengal, Assam,
and a part of the North-West Provinces, with a
population of about 80,000,000, is supplied from
an area of 800 acres, the standard size of a single
tea garden. The gross amount grown averages
8,000 maunds a year; but much of this is wasted
before issue, so that duty was paid last year on
5,451 maunds only. Even of this a considerable
part consists of twigs, separated before consump-
tion, so that the quantity smoked cannot exceed
4,000 maunds. If every one smoked, the allow-
ance a day for the individual would be 1/2281 part
of a tola, or the twelfth part of a grain. At the
rate of a tola a day, which tobacco-smokers
would think moderate, 36,000 persons would con-
sume all the ganja produced for 80,000,000. It
follows from these figures that the habit must be
rare or the doses taken homœopathic, producing
no organic effect.
8. Evidence of MR. H. G. COOKE, Officiating Commissioner, Orissa Division.
1. Nineteen years' actual residence in which
I have served in 21 districts in Lower Bengal.
2. Yes.
3. I believe in all districts of Bengal, Behar
and Orissa.
4. My impression is that it is invariably called
ganja in Bengal. Bhang may occur in Behar;
but even there, so far as I can recollect, the word
ganja is preferred.
5. I know of no conditions necessary to its
growth, as it seems to grow throughout the
province.
6. Scattered.
7. In the Province of Bengal, there is, of course,
the Government factory in the Rajshahi District
for purposes (a), (b), and (c). I know nothing
of (d).
In Orissa, in that portion of the province that is
called the Tributary Mahals, there is no check on
the cultivation of ganja, and it doubtless goes on
extensively throughout the States.
8. I am aware of none. Owing to the States
enjoying an almost independent existence, it is
impossible to obtain reliable statistics.
9. I have no personal experience of ganja cul-
tivation, nor have I seen cultivated ganja any-
where in Bengal. Wherever the plant is found it
is alleged to be wild, and, I believe, generally is so.
No experience in the Tributary States.
10. Ordinary cultivators,
11. I can't say.
12. I should suppose that that is precisely
what is done in the Tributary States of Orissa.
I can't say if the male plant is extirpated
there. In Bengal, Behar and Orissa, unlicensed
cultivation is punishable.
13. (a) Of [course in Bengal it is entirely pro-
hibited, except under Government supervision in
Rajshahi.
(c). I think not.
14. All under Government supervision in the
Rajshahi District.
(a) and (c) Also in the Tributary States of
Orissa.
15. I know nothing of the methods of prepar-
ation. Ganja is smoked. Siddhi is drunk and
sometimes smoked. Charas is smoked.
The ganja that I have seen exposed for sale in
the Tributary State of Dhenkanal, appeared to
be sun dried.
16. Yes. This is probably the case in Bengal,
Behar and Orissa, where its preparation is illegal;
but in the Tributary Mahals it is: I have seen it
exposed for sale in the bazar.
So far as I know, bhang can be produced from
the wild plant; also ganja and charas.
17. I can't say: I have no experience of the
ganja-producing area.
18. Undoubtedly all deteriorate, and I believe
lose their effect in about one year. I believe
damp is the chief cause of deterioration; but
under the most favourable circumstances, it deteri-
orates by lapse of time. A dry well ventilated
store-room is believed to be most favourable for
its preservation.
19. I know of no other use.
20. In Bengal a very small proportion of the
population take ganja, and charas is even less in
use.
It is not confined to any class or locality.
21. I have found round ganja is generally
preferred; so far as I can recollect, it is almost ex-
clusively used in the prosperous district of Hughli.