578
41. I have seen people using ganja and bhang
to sharpen their appetite, but, like all stimulants,
by frequent use they fail to produce the desired
effect and act prejudicially on the natural system.
Ganja and bhang ward off cold, but it is not taken
with the intent of protecting against fever. I
refer to moderate occasional use.
42. I do not consider any use of the drug
harmless. The beginning of moderate use gene-
rates habit and gradually goes to excess.
43. Even moderate consumers get a very irri-
table and easily excitable temper.
44. The immediate effect is the satisfaction of
the longing. It is refreshing. It produces in-
toxication. It does not supply the place of food.
The effect varies with the length of the habit.
The after-effects are injurious.
45. Habitual ganja-smoking impairs the con-
stitution, injures the natural digestive functions,
and the end of a ganja-smoker is death, generally
of dysentery or affections of the organs of respira-
tion.
I have known of instances in which ganja-
smoking produced insanity, and the patients have
generally been violent.
49. Both ganja and bhang are moderately used
for this purpose, but it is a mistake. The con-
stant use of the ganja produces impotence.
51. I have known many bad characters who are
addicted to ganja-smoking.
53. I know of a case in which an excessive
ganja-smoker killed a friend of his with a lathi
without any apparent cause for such action.
The culprit was then detained in the lunatic
asylum.
54. Heard of such being done, but had no per-
sonal experience.
55. Bhang drinking can produce complete
stupefaction with admixture.
68. There are retail ganja shops in almost all the
important hâts, where it is freely consumed. I
object to such consumption, as it induces people
who never tasted it to give it a trial.
69. Wishes of the people are never consulted
to my knowledge. Local public opinion should
be considered. Before opening a new shop subor-
dinate police officers are requested to make a
report and these officers know how to report on
the matter.
N.B.—My omission to answer any of the
questions implies that I do not possess sufficient
knowledge to justify me to give any opinion.
Oral Evidence.
Question 25.—In this answer I am speaking of
the Goalpara District. Since the figures shown
to me do not corroborate my statement as to the
increase in the number of shops, but rather show a
reduction, I must modify this opinion.
Question 35.—I regard the liquor traffic as
more pernicious than hemp, because (1) liquor is
prohibited by the religion of Hindus and Muham-
madans alike; (2) it is more costly; (3) the drun-
kard is more offensive to his neighbours, in that
he is mischievous and a nuisance to his neighbour-
hood. As regards the consumer, however, I con-
sider that ganja is more harmful than liquor.
Question 45.—I have actually seen many re-
puted ganja-smokers who have died from dysen-
tery and lung and respiratory diseases. In these
cases I did not make enquiry as to other possible
causes of the diseases, and my statement is a
general impression only. I have known many
people to die of dysentery who were not smokers.
I can recall three excessive smokers whose acquain-
tance I made in the last year. One of them died
of dysentery, another has gone half mad, and
nothing of consequence has yet happened to the
third as far as I have learnt. I have known six
people in the course of my life who were ganja-
smokers to die of dysentery. I don't know how
many excessive smokers I have seen, because I
cannot tell when a man becomes an excessive
smoker, and ceases to be a moderate smoker, but
I have known hundreds of smokers.
The cases of insanity which I have known, I
have assumed to result from excessive use. I can
recollect about five cases that I have seen in my
whole life, and I am 44 years of age. The last
case occurred about 16 years ago. I can only re-
member three other cases of insanity not due to
ganja.
Ganja would, I believe, be more fatal to life
than alcohol if it were used by the higher classes.
The lower classes who consume it are better able
to withstand the effects of ganja. I know of
no case in which I can ascribe death to either ganja
or liquor as the principal cause, but I know of
one ganja-smoker who was reported to have died
as a consequence of taking ganja. By principal
cause I mean the immediate cause. I am not
prepared to say that I know any case in which
death is to be ascribed directly to ganja or liquor,
except one, where the man died under the intoxi-
cation of liquor; but I do know cases in which
ganja or liquor has apparently caused diseases
which have resulted in death. There is no parti-
cular case in which I can say that ganja or liquor
was the cause, and that other causes did not pro-
duce the disease.
Question 53.—The man was mad when he
killed his friend.
41. Evidence of KAMINI KUMAR CHANDRA, Kayastha, Bengali, Pleader, Silchar.
1. I have known persons who are confirmed
smokers both in the Sylhet and Cachar Districts.
2. Yes. (1) Siddhi and bhang. (2) Charas
but it is not used in this part of the country).
(3) Ganja: (a) chipti ganja (flat); (b) gol ganja
(round); (c) chur (broken).
3. I have been informed it grows spontaneously
in parts of Sylhet and also in North Caehar.
5. I any not competent to answer this question.
6. I have been told it is scattered.
7. None.
12. No.
14. I am told bhang is prepared in some parts
of Sylhet.
19. I have no information regarding charas,
which, I am informed, is not used in Sylhet and
Cachar. Ganja is generally used for smoking.
20. Ganja is used generally by the lower order
of Hindus; it is not used by the Muhammadans,
excepting some rare cases. A large number (it