317
28.
Average allowance.
Cost per diem.
Ganja
(a) Charas
Bhang
71/2 to 15 grs.
5 5/8 to 111/4 "
6 annas weight
3 to 6 pies.
3 to 6 pies.
3 pies.
Ganja
(b) Charas
Bhang
45 to 60
grs.
45 grs.
2 1/2 tolas.
1 anna and 6 pies to 2 annas.
2 annas.
1 anna 6 pies.
29. Ganja is ordinarily (a) mixed with tobacco
and exceptionally (b) with charas.
Charas is
generally taken with tobacco. Bhang is ordinarily
mixed either with salt and black pepper or with
milk and sugar. The following are the ingredients
of the bhang massala sold in the shop, viz., (1) dry
rose leaves, (2) cucumber seeds, (3) kakur seeds,
(4) kasni, (5) kahu or lettuce seeds, (6) poppy
seeds, (7) gokuro kanta (seeds), and (8) aniseed.
30. The consumption of ganja and charas is
generally practised in company and that of bhang
in solitude. It is not particularly confined to any
time of life. Excepting the prostitutes and
Bairagis the consumption of charas, ganja and
bhang is mainly confined to the male sex. Some
women take bhang for chronic bowel complaints.
It is unusual for children to consume any of these
drugs.
31. The habit of consuming all these drugs is
easily formed. It is difficult to break off the habit
of smoking ganja and charas, but comparatively
easy in the case of bhang. There is no tendency
in the case of any of these drugs for the moderate
habit to develop into the excessive.
32. In the religious custom a little bhang is
taken as a drink on certain festivals, such as Bijoya
Dasami day, after the Durga Thakur has been
thrown into a river, and bhang water is also thrown
on the head of certain lingas. The devotees assert
that they drink bhang to forget the miseries of
the world, and there is a popular saying that
bhang increases intelligence and ensures success,
but ganja does the reverse.
33. The consumption of all these drugs, especi-
ally ganja and charas is held in disrepute.
34. There would be a serious privation to the
consumers of all these drugs to forego their use,
because they will suffer for want of them, from
pains in the abdomen, diarrhœa, lassitude, and
general uneasiness, and they would be deprived of
comforts after fatigue, etc.
35. The prohibition of the use of these drugs
would cause misery and discontent to the con-
sumers of these drugs.
36. No, because alcohol is more expensive.
37. The effects of charas-smoking are similar to
those of ganja, but charas is weaker.
My information is that they have the similar
effects.
40. Kabirajes prescribe bhang for its medicin-
al qualities, and ganja for external application.
Bhang is used for the treatment of cattle disease.
41. Moderate use of ganja and bhang may be
beneficial in their effects.
(a), (b) and (c) Yes.
(d) Many up-country people take ganja and
bhang as a febrifuge.
42. Moderate use of bhang nourishes the body
that is, makes it fat, eases pain when present,
and it has a cooling effect.
43. Yes.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use
of bhang on the habitual consumer is exhilara-
tion of spirits. It is refreshing. It produces
slight intoxication. It does not allay hunger, but
it increases the appetite. Its effect lasts for three
to four hours. No after-effects. It produces
longing or uneasiness. The effects of ganja and
charas are almost like those of bhang, but their
effects last for 15 to 30 minutes.
45. Evidence on these points is conflicting.
The general concensus of opinion is that the habi-
tual moderate use of bhang and ganja does not
impair the constitution or injure the digestion or
the moral sense or the intellect.
46. Excessive use of ganja may produce noxi-
ous effects, such as emaciation, impairment of
digestion, dysentery, cough, laziness, and even
insanity.
47 and 48. No.
49. Yes, all the three drugs are occasionally
used as aphrodisiacs.
50. Excessive use of these drugs sometimes
produces impotence.
56. The only substance mixed with ganja is
tobacco to improve its flavour and to make it
bulky.
57. Ganja is sometimes mixed with sugar and
made into a kind of sweetmeat called majum.
Its effects are the same as those of ganja, but
it is sweet.
122. Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON PREONATH BOSE, Teacher of Materia
Medica and Practical Pharmacy, Dacca.
1. My own knowledge and information obtained
by myself from vendors and consumers of the
drugs.
2. Yes. Local names are bhang or siddhi,
charas and ganja.
16. Yes, bhang is generally prepared in the
house. It can be prepared from the hemp plant
wherever grown. Ganja and charas cannot be
prepared from the wild plant wherever grown.
18. Yes, all three deteriorate by keeping, and
quite lose their effects in time. With ordinary
care they will keep good for about one year.
Exposure to air and damp causes deterioration.
Wrapping up in straw in the case of ganja, cover-
ing with dry leaves and paper in that of charas
and packing in a bag in the case of bhang, and
then storing them all on wooden shelves in a dry
godown, will prevent early deterioration.
19. Charas is used only for smoking. Ganja is
used almost exclusively for smoking. In rare
cases ganja is eaten mixed with sugar and made
into a kind of sweetmeat called here by the name
of majum.
20. Consumers are to be found in all classes of
the people.
21. Flat ganja.
22. Charas is brought to Dacca from Calcutta
23. No.