571
(e) It induces habits of immorality and debau-
chery.
(f) Yes; it does, if taken to excess for a long
period, produce insanity, but of a temporary
character, and can be checked or cured, so
far as I have seen, from forced abstention.
Insanity may be re-induced by use of the drug.
I know the case of a cooly on my tea garden who
was temporarily insane from using the drug, was
kept in the Lunatic Asylum at Tezpur for six
months, returned quite cured, and has had no
relapses since.
(g) Have no information, but there is evidence
that insanity may tend to indulgence in the use
of hemp drugs by a person who is deficient in
self-control through weakened intellect.
47. No.
48. No.
49. (a) From what I can gather, yes.
(b) Not known.
(d) Bhang smokers generally have fairly large
families, say, four or five children.
53. Yes; murder. I had a case * of a man in
my garden who cut off his wife's head whilst tem-
porarily insane under the effects of the drug.
68. Yes.
69. So far as I can gather, the people are not
consulted as to the site of a shop proposed to be
opened if sold by public auction. I certainly think
local opinion ought to be considered.
Note by Commission appended to
MR. MORAN'S evidence.
EMPRESS VS. LALA KAMAR.
There is only one mention of ganja in this case,
and that is in the evidence of a witness, Mohidhar,
who stated both before the committing Magistrate
and before the Sessions Judge that the accused
was sometimes "like a man who takes ganja."
On the other hand, it is in evidence (Mr. Moran)
that accused and his wife "had frequent quar-
rels;" also (Mohidhar) that he was "imprisoned
for assaulting her" on a previous occasion, two
years before, on which (Puttu) "he was drunk."
To this is added: "He is not a drinking man; he
drinks sometimes." Mr. Moran, in a long state-
ment made before the Magistrate giving a detailed
history of the prisoner, made no mention whatever
of ganja.
34. Evidence of Mr. ALFRED SPICER,† Tea Planter, Pathecherra, Cachar.
1. Twenty-five years as manager and proprietor
of tea gardens in Cachar.
2. Only one sort of ganja appears, as far as I
know, to be sold in the local bazaars.
3. Coolies occasionally grow a few plants.
They get the seed from the bazaar-sold ganja.
5. Will grow anywhere in Cachar.
7. (a) None but surreptitiously as described in
answer to 3; except the Kukis, and they bring a
little to sell in the bazaar.
8. No increase.
10. Kukis and Patnies, and a few coolies.
11. No necessity to hunt for wild plants, as
seed is obtainable from the bazaar-sold ganja.
13. Cultivation possible anywhere in Cachar.
14. Ganja only.
16. I have never seen bhang in Cachar. Yes,
it can be prepared in coolies' houses and Kuki
poonjies.
17. Kukis, Patnies and a few of various other
races and castes.
18. If kept in a box will remain good for at
least a year. Keeping it free from cold and wind
will prevent deterioration.
19. Ganja only for smoking is used with leaf
tobacco.
20. Coolies and Patnies; ganja only, in Cachar.
21. Flat.
22. No charas in Cachar.
23. Not in Cachar.
25. Ganja increases among coolies, owing to the
vicinity of ganja shops and their agents, who
frequent the bazaars and sell it surreptitiously;
also Kukis.
29. Ordinarily leaf tobacco. Dhatura is not
mixed with it; but dhatura is sometimes mixed
with the rice-fermented liquor in order to produce
greater intoxication.
30. In company. Five or six will smoke toge-
ther. Males principally take it. Females very
little. Children under ten do not smoke.
31. Yes. They can break it off.
32. It is not necessary for their social and
religious customs, but both bhang and ganja are
sometimes used.
33. To take ganja is rather looked down on.
No public opinion. No, the hemp plant is not
worshipped.
34. No, it would not be a serious privation.
Some coolies here have given it up of their own
free will.
35. Prohibition would be feasible. The drug
would be, and is, consumed illicitly unless the
Kukis were watched. If Government stop the
sale to the licensed shops, the use will gradually
die out. No shop should be allowed within two
or three miles of any coolie lines.
36. Coolies seem to take more alcohol the
richer they get, but not as a substitute for ganja.
38. Only know of flat being used.
39. Ganja smoking is all I have here.
40. Never heard of it.
41. (a), (b), (c), (d) No.
42. Never harmless; it maddens them if they
take much, and it affects their lungs and they die
of pneumonia eventually.
* See Note appended.
† Invited to attend at a sitting of the Commission for oral examination, but failed to appear.
4 F 2