510
12. I do not know.
13. I believe it is not restricted, but the people
in this part of the country do not cultivate it, as
ganja is mostly imported from Upper Provinces.
There are many parts of Lower Bengal that
would not produce ganja on account of the soil
being merged under water for a good portion of
the year.
14. Not in this district.
Dry leaves of bhang from special bhang tree is
sold, but under Excise Act.
15. I have no idea of the difference of prepara-
tion in wild and cultivated hemp. So far I know
that ganja is smoked after mixing it with tobacco
leaf, and eaten by intermixing the ganja with
sweetmeat; the preparation is called "Majum;"
and the drug is made drinkable by grinding and
mixing it with water, sugar, cloves, etc., which is
called "Sabji."
16. Bhang is prepared from the special leaves
of bhang tree in the house either drinkable or
eaten with a lump of sugar. Bhang is not made
from hemp plant. I do not know whether charas
or ganja can be prepared from the wild plant.
17. There is no special class of people for pre-
paring the drugs mentioned.
18. Yes, it keeps good for a year or more. It
gradually loses its effect. Dampness is the chief
cause of deterioration.
19. Ganja is mostly used for smoking. "Sabji,"
is occasionally made out of it by grinding the
ganja and making "Serbet," for drinking sake.
It is sometimes used for medicinal purpose. I
have no knowledge where it is more prevalent,
and also have no idea of charas as it is not used
in the district.
20. Mostly fishermen and low classes of people
smoke ganja. About 3 per cent. among the said
class use ganja as intoxicating drug. I cannot
tell in which localities it is more prevalent.
21. I cannot give correct information about it,
but as flat ganja is mostly imported here, I sur-
mise this kind is invariably and everywhere used
in this district.
22. As said above, the charas is not in vogue
here; if there be solitary instances, I do not know
whence it is imported.
23. No; I mean the dry leaves of the special
bhang tree.
24. People of North-Western Provinces gener-
ally use the bhang as refreshment, just as beer,
claret, and cider are used in Europe. In the dis-
trict this is used by the natives that have bowel
complaints. It is efficacious in bringing the bowel
in tone.
25. I am not in a position to answer it.
26. I have no idea of it.
27. For excitement and intoxicating purpose
low classes of people, particularly those that are
living on piscatory profession and the coolies
going in the hills, are addicted to smoke ganja
under a notion that the use of it gives energy to
work and also alleviates pain of hard work.
28. I cannot exactly answer this question. This
habitual moderate consumer of ganja not less than
two pice a day would suffice, to habitual excessive
consumer more than one anna,
29. I am told, among hard smokers when they
want to increase the power of intoxication, opium
or dhatura is mixed; but it is not generally the
case, as they often extend the rounds of chillum
for the said purpose.
Bhang massala is not sold separately in this dis-
trict, but the consumers buy the ingredients from
different shops. I am told the ingredients are
cloves, pepper, sugar, milk or water, and some-
times to make the potation strong adds ganja leaf
with it.
30. As far as I am informed, the habitual con-
sumers take their daily quantity, but like com-
pany, and when gathered they practise more and
want to extend the circle of smokers. Females
and children do not use the drugs.
31. The habit is formed by evil association with
the habitual consumers. It is not very difficult
to break the habit. The habit naturally develops
to excess when the usual quantity does not pro-
duce the required effect by continual use. It is
like all other intoxicating drugs when used as a
habit.
32. There is no social or religious custom or
binding to admit of use of hemp. It is not es-
sential at all for any custom whatsoever. Frequent
use of it leads to formation of habit, and undoubt-
edly it is injurious.
33. By the better and thinking class of people,
the use of the drug in all shapes is regarded with
disgust and pity. There is no religious binding
to use it, and therefore mostly the cultivating
class of people and day labourers also look to the
practice with abhorrence. I attribute this senti-
ment of disgust that people in general express is
to the belief and experience that all narcotics
muddle the head, injure health and cause unneces-
sary expenses; and also under the influence of
intoxication often social and moral rules are
violated to the great grief and disgrace of friends
and relatives of the offenders. No worship of
hemp plant is observed here.
34. I do not see any serious privation will ne-
cessarily be felt by the consumers, if they forego
the habit. But the fishermen, etc., and the iti-
nerant jogis or fakirs will feel the want for a
time. The whole class makes a great minority
against non-smoking class.
35. Prohibition of the use of the whole of the
drugs, excepting bhang made out of special bhang
plant, is very feasible. No doubt there would be
illicit consumption at first, but if the stringent law
be enacted and enforced, the practice will gradu-
ally fall off. Prohibition can be enforced by
stopping the cultivation, importation and export-
ation of the drug. I do not suppose there will be
serious discontent among consumers; they may
grudge for a time and then all will wear off.
There is no possibility of political danger. There
is every probability that the stoppage would lead
to other recourse, such as alcoholic stimulants and
other drugs. But if law is also severe in that
respect also, the consumers will be satisfied with
their lot.
36. Yes; and I attribute this to the newness
and relish of the foreign importation of alcoholic
drinks. I have had instances of some of my ac-
quaintances falling into this error.
37. I do not know.
38. I have no experience of it.