482
consumers is attributable principally to the disre-
putable life and bad character of the majority of
the habitual and excessive consumers.
I am not aware of any custom of worshipping
the hemp plant on any occasion by any class of
people.
34. In my opinion it would be a serious priva-
tion to habitual consumers of ganja, both mod-
erate and excessive, to forego the consumption of
the drug.
In case of moderate consumers of ganja of the
lower and labouring classes, the use of the drug
enables them to undertake difficult and laborious
works without feeling much fatigue. In case of
the excessive consumers of the drug, a giving up
of the habit may produce serious diseases.
I am sorry I am unable to give the probable
numbers of each class; the number would, how-
ever, be very small.
35. Under the present state of affairs, I would
not consider it feasible to prohibit the use of the
drugs. A prohibition may lead the consumers to
consume it illicitly. Besides, it is likely to drive
them to the use of more harmful intoxicants, such
as alcohol and dhatura. Ganja is certainly bad,
but alcohol is worse. I doubt not a prohibition
of the use of the drugs would occasion serious
discontent among the consumers, though I am
not prepared to go to the extent of saying that
the discontent may amount to a political danger.
36. There is reason for thinking that alcohol is
now being to a certain extent substituted for both
ganja and bhang. I would attribute this change to
the following causes:—
1st.—Introduction of the outstill system.
2nd.—Increased duty levied on ganja.
There are people who are now using spirits pur-
chased cheap from outstills who formerly used to
smoke ganja obtained at a low price.
37. I am unable to answer this question.
38. No, as far as I have been able to ascertain.
39. 1 am unable to answer this.
40. Some preparation of bhang are prescribed
by kabirajes (native physicians) as medicine for
diarrhœa. It is stated that ganja is also used as
medicine for diarrhœa mixed with opium. It is
also used mixed with oil as an external application
for skin diseases. I have seen it so used. I am
not aware of the drugs having been used as a
medicine for cattle disease.
41. Ganja.—(a) I cannot say.
(b) Moderate use of the drug may be beneficial
in its effects, as it gives staying-power under
severe exertion or exposure or to alleviate fatigue.
I have personal experience of this matter in the
case of palki-bearers.
(c) I have often observed that ganja-smokers
are generally free from malarious fever, From
this I conclude that it is a febrifuge, but I don't
think anybody uses it as such.
Bhang.—(a) A moderate use of bhang is con-
sidered to be digestive; it is said to increase
appetite. A moderate use of the drug may there-
fore be beneficial.
The majority of the labouring classes, who use
ganja, use it for the purpose of keeping up stay-
ing-power under severe exertion. A small pro-
portion of the people who use bhang use it for
increase of appetite. I refer to moderate use of
the drugs both habitual and occasional.
42. Though I have stated that a moderate use
of ganja may be beneficial in certain cases and
under certain circumstances, I do not consider it
altogether harmless. I may say that a moderate
use of bhang is harmless. In the case of ganja,
the consumers are liable to attacks of dysentery
and such like diseases.
43. Yes; they are generally inoffensive to their
neighbours.
44. I have been told by several moderate con-
sumers of the drugs that the immediate effect is
a pleasing sensation (ganja is therefore jocosely
called Turitananda). It is refreshing. It does
not produce intoxication in the case of habitual
consumers. In case of bhang it creates appetite.
The effect of the use is longer in cases of bhang
than in cases of ganja. The effect in cases of
bhang may last twenty-four hours, whereas in
cases of ganja it does not generally last for more
than a few hours, The after-effects in the case
of ganja is rather depressing. It is not so in the
case of bhang.
45. Bhang.—My answer is "no" to the ques-
tions.
Ganja.—The habitual moderate use of the
drug I think produces physical noxious effects.
It does impair the constitution in the long run.
It may cause dysentery, bronchitis or asthma
after use for a long time, especially in the cases
of those who live poorly.
46. Ganja.—The habitual excessive use of the
drug produces noxious effects, physical, mental
and moral. It impairs the constitution of the
consumer. It causes dysentery, bronchitis and
asthma. It impairs the moral sense and induces
laziness. It deadens the intellect and produces
insanity, both temporary and permanent.
47 and 48. No.
49 and 50. I am not aware of any such use.
51. A good portion of bad characters are known
as habitual moderate consumers of ganja. I have
often come across cases in my experience as a
public prosecutor in which the offenders were
known to have used either ganja or alcohol before
the commission of the offence.
53. I believe an excessive indulgence in ganja
incites to unpremeditated crime. I know of no
cases in which it has led to temporary homicidal
frenzy,
54. Ganja is used by criminals to fortify them-
selves to commit a premeditated act of violence
or other crime, such as dacoity, robbery, etc.
55. I have never heard of cases in which this
was done.
56. Bhang, when used as modified by the ad-
mixture of substances, such as sugar, milk and
spices, produces stronger and more durable effects
than when used alone.
57. I cannot answer this question,
58. I think the present system of excise
administration in respect of the hemp drugs is
working well on the whole.
62. The hemp plant is not cultivated for pro-
duction of bhang in this district, but its culti-
vation should not in my opinion be controlled in
any way.
63. I have no objection to the present system
of wholesale or retail vend of ganja.
To my
knowledge charas and bhang are not sold here.
65. I think the duty levied on ganja is very
high with reference to alcohol. I would suggest