212
habitual moderate consumers, but I do not think
the moderate use of these drugs is connected with
crime in general; but excessive use of ganja some-
times produces furious delirium and renders the
consumer reckless.
52. Vide above.
53.Not that I know of.
54. Yes; I should think so.
55. No, unless stupefying drugs, such as dha-
tura, be mixed; and sometimes criminals, in order
to further their designs, administer such admix-
ture to their victims.
56. The effect of bhang is sometimes modified
by the admixture of cooling ingredients.
57. I have no knowledge under this head.
58. I consider it to be working well.
59. I have no improvement to suggest at pre-
sent.
60 and 61. Cannot answer.
62. We cannot control it, for bhang grows
wild. The present excise rules for possession,
license and supply of bhang are sufficient checks
so far as possible.
63 and 64. None.
65. Yes, the taxation is reasonable. I do not
suggest any alteration.
66. Yes; if they differ in quality.
67. I have no data before me, so cannot make
any suggestion under this head.
68. There are licensed shops, but, so far as I am
aware, these drugs are not consumed on the pre-
mises in the same way as liquor. Do not consider
it right to allow these drugs to be consumed on
the premises.
69. Generally not. It is only when objections
are raised by the people of the locality that any
enquiry is made or notice taken. I think local
public opinion should be considered.
70. None that I know of.
75. Evidence of BABU RASIK LAL GHOSE, Court of Wards' Manager, Dinajpur.
1. I have had opportunities of consulting with
certain up-country people and people of this dis-
trict, specially with those who are accustomed to,
and are supposed to have taken, either of these
drugs. I have also consulted with the local shop-
keepers of ganja, etc.
2. Yes; these definitions may be accepted for
this part of the district. They are known as
bhang, ganja and charas, as named in the ques-
tions.
3. The plants from which bhang is produced
grow spontaneously, but very rarely in this part
of the district.
4. It is known by the name of bhang or siddhi.
5. It grows generally on high land.
6. The growth of wild hemp (or bhang) is
generally dense.
7 to 10. No such plants are cultivated in this
part of the district.
11. The seeds found with the exported ganja
leaves do not germinate.
12. I am aware of no such cultivation in this
part of the district.
13. No such plants are cultivated in this part
of the district.
14. Dry leaves of wild hemp (bhang) are kept
by a few people for using as medicine, both for
men and cattle, but very rarely for intoxicating
purposes.
15. The dry leaves of bhang are crushed or
powdered with spices and sugar, and mixed with
water for drinking purposes.
16. Leaves taken and dried from the places
where the wild hemp grows spontaneously. The
drink referred to above is prepared at home.
17. Bhang is prepared and taken up by the up-
country people for luxury; by common country
people as medicine, both for men and cattle.
18. Both ganja and bhang deteriorate in time.
They are kept good for about two years.
19. Ganja is only smoked here.
20. Ganja is smoked by the low classes of people
such as fishermen, mehtars, haris, up-country
coolies, and by men of debasing immoral character,
but very rarely by the cultivators or other classes
of people.
21. Round ganja is not sold here. Flat and
chur ganjas are taken by the people.
22. Charas is not sold or used at this locality.
23. I don't know if bhang is ever used in
smoking.
24. It is drunk (vide answer 17).
25. It is believed that the use of ganja is on
the decrease on account of the increase of price.
26. Ganja—
(a) 5 per cent.
(b) 1
"
(c) 8
"
(d) 1
"
Bhang—
(a) 1 per cent.
(b)
(c) 5 per cent.
(d)
Charas is not taken in this locality.
27. They are generally low class people. Evil
company, evil custom, debauchery and immoral-
ity lead them to the practice.
28. For ganja—
(a) One pice per day.
(b) One anna per day.
29. Dhatura is very rarely mixed with bhang
to increase its intoxicating power. Tobacco is
mixed with ganja to make it soothing. The
name "bhang massala" is almost unknown to the
people of this district, but well known to the up-
country people. It consists of black pepper, poppy-
seeds, dried leaves of roses, cardamom, mohuri,
kashni, seeds of khira, and seeds of kakri.
30. Ganja is generally smoked in company.
Bhang is taken both in solitude and in company.
They are mainly confined to the male sex, but
low class prostitutes also generally smoke ganja.
They are scarcely taken by the children.
31. Bad company leads to the habit of ganja
smoking, which is not easily broken off. It is not