35
18. Ganja only deteriorates by keeping, but
neither bhang nor charas. Yes, ganja loses its
resinous substance after about two years, its rapid
deterioration being due to its susceptibility to
dampness. It can be kept in a good condition if
protected from dampness.
19. Ganja and charas are generally used for
smoking purposes. In Eastern Districts majum,
which is a preparation of ganja and some sweets,
is eaten.
20. Lower classes generally smoke ganja.
Charas is rarely used. Most of the Sanyasis and
mendicants, day-labourers, and up-country palki
bearers generally use ganja.
21. Flat is prepared for smoking.
22. None here.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking.
24. In Behar respectable people drink bhang
daily as a luxury; in Bengal, it is used by all
classes, specially the middle class. In Bengal
people drink bhang at the time of some religious
festival. Regular bhang eaters are few and far
between. Bhang is eaten very rarely, but cooked.
25. The use of ganja is on the increase. The
reason for increase in consumption here is that the
people of this district shew likeness to ganja in
preference to drink, the consequence being the
consumption of ganja increases with the decline of
that of country liquor.
26. The approximate figure for ganja will be
this—
(a) 60 per cent.
(b) 20 per cent.
(c) 15 per cent.
(d) 5 per cent.
27. (a) This class consists of very low class of
people, viz., fishermen, Hanoi domes.
(b) Consists of Sanysais, Ramads, etc.
(c) Consists of middle, sometimes of weal-
thy, class.
(d) Beggars and very poor men.
The medicants travel from place to place, and
the reason of their using ganja is that they can
endure different climates. The menials use them
with a view to do hard work.
28. (a) 1/2 anna.
(b) 2 annas.
29. Dhatura is mixed with bhang sometimes in
order to make it strong.
The ordinary bhang massala is black pepper and
anise-seed. It is made rich by mixing milk, sugar,
rose-water, and cardamom, which are used by the
higher classes.
30. Ganja is consumed generally in company,
and bhang in solitude. They are used by adults
and old men. They are mainly confined to the
male sex. Children never consume any of these
drugs, except for medicinal purposes.
31. (a) The habit of smoking ganja is easily
formed.
(c) Yes; it is marked in the case of ganja.
32. Bhang is generally drunk in small quant-
ities on the fourth day of the Durga Puja, in
which its drinking is compulsory on every devout
Hindu. The use of this drug is moderate. Many
take only a drop of it. It is not injurious, and
does not lead to habit.
33. The use of ganja is regarded as disreput-
able. The public opinion is against it.
34. Yes, by the use the consumers feel a sort
of pleasure which they cannot forego.
35. It is not feasible with regard to bhang, as
it grows wildly; it may be practicable with ganja.
The prohibition would certainly cause wide-
spread discontent which would not create any
political danger. The prohibition would be fol-
lowed by recourse to some other stimulants.
36. No.
37. Charas is the most powerful, but has not
the same inducement to become a habit as ganja.
38. I believe they are the same thing in differ-
ent forms.
39. Yes; it is less powerful.
40. Bhang is prescribed by the native school of
physicians as medicine. Bhang is used as a treat-
ment for cattle-disease.
41. (a) Bhang is a very digestive article of
food.
(b) Yes; for the time, to be followed by
greater exhaustion.
(c) Yes; for the relief of pain it is used as
an intoxicant or narcotic.
42. Moderate use is harmless, but it may
always lead to excess.
43. Yes.
44. It intoxicates. At first is refreshing. Does
intoxicate. It does create a false appetite. Its
after-effects are depression. There is always a
desire to repeat the dose.
45. (d) Charas smokers suffer from asthmatical
breathing. Ganja causes dysentery.
(e) Yes.
(f) It produces insanity.
55. (b) Yes.
56. I believe dhatura is mixed with it to act as
an antidote against the bad effects of charas on
the lungs.
58. Yes; I consider it to be capable of improve-
ment.
59. I would wish to see the goladari system
abolished. The ganja should be sold in the way
the opium is being sold now. This would return
a heavy profit to Government.
60. I think that a smuggling to a large extent
takes place. I should like to see a large staff of
detective officers appointed.
61. None.
62. Not at all.
63. Wholesale vend of ganja leads to much
wastage. I would like to see it abolished. The
Government itself should be the vendor as in the
case of opium.
65. Except where it could be shown to be to
the interests of the revenue, such as by making
a change in the goladari system, I would not in-
terfere with the consumption of ganja amongst
those who habitually use it.
66. Yes. The proportion of taxation on each
kind of ganja as exists now should be retained.
I do not advocate different taxation on ganja
grown in different localities (see 65).
67. See 65.
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