74
through this district also use the drug. I have
written these remarks with special reference to
this district, but they would also apply to most
districts in Bengal.
Charas is not used here.
21. In this district flat ganja is most commonly
used. But the tastes of different districts vary.
The consumers like the form of the drug that they
are most accustomed to.
22. Charas is not used here, and in no district
of which I have had experience is there any large
consumption of charas.
23. I am informed that ganja smokers, when
they cannot get ganja, sometimes, smoke bhang,
but this is rare. No instance of this practice has
come within my personal observation.
24. (a) Bhang itself is not eaten. Majum, a
preparation made from bhang, is eaten in some
parts of the province, but it is not apparently used
in this district, and I have no accurate information
as to the classes who use it.
(b) The use of bhang as a drink is not confined
to any particular class. It is more general among
up-country men than among Bengalis. It is more
common among Hindus than Muhammadans.
Strict Muhammadans do not indulge in bhang.
25. The consumption of ganja which has paid
duty shows a distinct tendency to decrease in this
district, as will be seen from the following
figures:—
Year
1888. 1889. 1890. 1891. 1892.
Consumption in maunds 64 54 51 52 42
There is, however, undoubtedly a certain amount
of smuggling; and as this district includes a
portion of the ganja growing tract, the vendors
and consumers have greater opportunities for
obtaining illicit ganja than they have elsewhere.
It is, therefore, doubtful whether there has been
any substantial decrease in consumption. It is
impossible to obtain statistics regarding bhang,
but I have no reason to suppose that the consump¬
tion is at the present time either increasing or
decreasing to any notable extent, but I am
informed that many years ago bhang was much
more commonly used than at present.
26. It is very difficult to make even an approxi¬
mate classification of this kind, because it is
difficult to draw the line between moderation
and excess, and also because it is impossible to
obtain statistical information on the subject.
In the case of bhang, it may be said that of
100 drinkers 90 are occasional consumers, 8 are
habitual moderate consumers, and 2 are habitual
excessive consumers.
Of the occasional consumers and the habitual
moderate consumers, some no doubt occasionally
exceed the limits of moderation, but I cannot
even pretend to make any estimate of their number.
In the case of ganja I should say that of 100
ganja smokers 50 are habitual moderate consumers,
30 are habitual consumers who occasionally exceed
the limits of moderation, 15 are habitual excessive
consumers, 5 are occasional consumers.
In making this estimate I include as habitual
consumers those who habitually consume the drug
when they can get it, but are from want of means
frequently compelled to forego it. I do not count
as consumers those persons who have tried the drug
once or twice, but who have never made a practice
of consuming it either occasionally or habitually.
Practically it may be said that all ganja smokers
are habitual consumers so far as their means
permit.
It must be understood that the figures which I
have given above are mere estimates, and are not
founded on any statistical information.
27. In the case of ganja, the habitual moderate
consumers, and those who only occasionally exceed
moderation, are mostly to be found among the
labouring classes. They naturally feel a desire for
some intoxicant after a day of hard work and ex¬
posure. Want of means, family ties, and regular
occupation restrain them from habitual excess.
Habitual excessive consumers are mostly to be
found among religious mendicants and among the
scum of the populace in towns and bazars who
have no regular occupation or social ties to restrain
them. The habitual consumption of ganja by
religious mendicants is to be accounted for partly
by custom and partly by the life of constant ex¬
posure which many of them lead.
In the case of bhang, occasional and habitual
consumers are drawn from all classes.
28. (a) The habitual moderate ganja smoker
consumes about 1/8th tola, costing half anna.
(b) The habitual excessive ganja smoker con¬
sumes about half tola, costing 2 annas.
(a) The habitual moderate bhang drinker uses
half to one tola of dried leaves.
(b) The habitual excessive bhang drinker con¬
sumes 4 or 5 tolas of dried leaves.
As the wild bhang grows in this district and is
not sold here, the cost to the consumer cannot be
stated. I must add that the above figures can
only be regarded as approximate. The quantity
consumed by different individuals differs very
much, and it is difficult to draw the line between
moderate and excessive consumption.
29. Tobacco is ordinarily mixed with ganja.
No other ingredient is ever used.
In preparing bhang, milk and sugar are ordi¬
narily used, and rose water and other flavouring
matters exceptionally. I am not aware that any
intoxicating or injurious ingredient is ever used
with bhang.
I have never heard of dhatura being voluntarily
used with either bhang or ganja. I have heard
of dhatura being mixed with ganja by professional
poisoners for the purpose of drugging their
victims.
I have not heard of any preparation such as
"bhang massala" being sold.
30. Both bhang and ganja are ordinarily con¬
sumed in company, but confirmed ganja smokers
also consume it in solitude. Prostitutes use these
drugs, but otherwise the consumption is almost
entirely confined to the male sex. It is not usual
for children to consume these drugs.
31. The habit of drinking bhang is easily
formed, and is also, I believe, easily broken off.
The habit of ganja-smoking is less easily
formed, as the effects are, I believe, unpleasant
to a novice. A confirmed ganja smoker would
probably require some resolution and strength of
mind to break off the habit so long as he had the
means of getting ganja, but I am informed that