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19. Used only for smoking, as far as I know.
20. Charas used to be smoked before by both
upper and lower classes of people; now its use is
confined to a limited number. The consumption of
charas in the district of 24-Parganas is not more
than 30 seers per annum, and the number of
smokers is not more than 300. Ganja is smoked
generally by all labouring class and a limited
number of upper class. I think about 75 per
cent. of the labouring class use ganja. But the
percentage of upper class of people who use ganja
is not even 5 per cent.
21. In 24-Parganas round ganja is preferred;
but in other districts where I have worked flat
ganja is preferred. There is very little consump-
tion of chur on account of its price being higher
than these two. I do not think there is anything
special in any of them for which preference is given.
It is only a matter of likeness to the taste.
22. Foreign. Nepal charas imported from
Amritsar.
23. No.
24. Bhang drinking is prevalent among all
classes of people. It is specially used by the in-
habitants of Behar. I think about 40 per cent. of
the people drink siddhi or bhang.
25. The use of licit ganja, charas and siddhi is
on the decrease. Many lower class of people,
specially in 24-Parganas District, who can afford,
have taken to tari, as it both stimulates and satis-
fies hunger. I believe also many of the upper
class people who used to smoke charas and drink
siddhi have now taken to wines and spirits, as they
consider them better in exhilarating effect.
26. (a) 70 per cent.
(b) 4 per cent.
(c) 25 per cent.
(d) 1 per cent.
27. These are mainly taken from lower class of
Hindus and Muhammadans, such as Bagdi, Podh,
Behara or Kahar, or Chamar or Muchi, Mallah,
Dome, Dhangar, Dulia, Mehtar, Boistab, sanyasi,
musician, Koiborta. They are generally moderate
consumers. Hardship and a life of asceticism are
the principal causes which lead to practice.
28.
Ganja.
Charas.
Siddhi.
(a) Two annas weight, Three annas weight, One tola, price
price two pice. price one and half anna. two pice.
(b)
One tola, price One tola, price eight Two-half tolas,
four annas.
annas.
price five pice.
29. Ordinarily with ganja and charas, pre-
pared tobacco is mixed, and with siddhi, spices,
sugar and milk. I am not aware of anything
exceptionally mixed. I have heard dhatura seeds
are used with ganja to increase its intoxicating
power, but I have not seen any one to use it. In
case of tobacco with ganja and charas to soften
the narocotic effect and to give also a better
flavour; spices, etc., are used with siddhi to improve
taste, and also to increase its intoxicating effect.
I do not know much of bhang massala.
30. (a) Ganja and charas are smoked generally
in company, ordinarily consisting of two. They
are practised by very few in solitude. I think
the percentage of. consumers who practise in com-
pany is. not less than 90. No privacy is observed
in case of drinking siddhi.
(b) It is mainly confined to male sex and not
to any special time of life.
(c) No.
31. (a) Yes.
(b) No.
(c) Not to the same extent as alcohol or opium.
32. The consumption of ganja and charas are
not required by any social or religious custom.
Bhang is drunk as a religious, and more as a social,
custom on the fourth or last day of Durga Puja,
as it is believed success betokens the drink, and
the name itself implies success. It is popularly
believed to have been the favourite drink of god
Siva, and therefore used as an offering to him by
the devotees. It is not essential that bhang should
be drunk in connexion with an invariable custom.
The use is generally temperate, and there is no
likelihood of its leading to the formation of a
habit.
33. The smoking of ganja is held in disrepute
but such is not the case with charas smoking or
siddhi drinking. It is popularly believed that
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, leaves as soon as
one begins to learn ganja-smoking. The sentiment,
I think, due to the fact of ganja-smokers being
generally rough, mean and shabby in appearance.
I am not aware as to any custom of worshipping
the hemp plant on any occasion by any sect of
people.
34. Yes. The labouring class of the population
use ganja or charas as stimulant for hard work.
They cannot possibly give up the habit without
some substitute. Bhang again could not be given
up by the habitual consumers without aggravating
the complaints to prevent which they had recourse
to its use.
35. It is feasible to prohibit the use of charas,
but not of ganja or siddhi. These two may be
consumed illicitly. I doubt if the prohibition
could be enforced with regard to them. The prohi-
bition would occasion serious discontent among the
consumers, but that would not amount to a poli-
tical danger. The prohibition would be followed
by recourse to other deleterious drugs.
36. I believe alcohol has to some extent super-
seded the use of siddhi and charas amongst the
better classes. I attribute this because as stimu-
lant alcohol is considered to be superior to both.
The use of these drugs is gradually diminishing
among the upper classes. For instance, on the
last day of Durga Puja, siddhi is not generally
taken, but instead of it some youngsters take
liquor. Tari to some extent has taken the place
of ganja among lower class of people, for it stimu-
lates and at the same time satisfies hunger, although
little costly.
37. Yes. The effect of charas smoking is con-
sidered to be milder.
38. No.
39. Smoking, I think, is less injurious than
drinking. The reason is that smoking produces a
strong instantaneous effect, and much cannot be
used at a time in this form; but drinking is de-
cidedly an easier method of consuming a large
quantity at a time. The effect of smoking does
not last long, but that of drinking continues for
hours.
40. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
41. (a) Believed to be both.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes.
(d) Concentration.
Labouring class, 75 per cent. of them. The
moderate use is referred.
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