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49 and 50. The moderate use of any of these
drugs is never practised as an aphrodisiac except
by prostitutes, night chowkidars, and so forth.
The use of hemp tends to produce impotence.
51. Habitual moderate consumers are not
generally to be seen to be bad characters. The
moderate use has not had any connection with
crime in general or with crime of any special
character.
52. About one-third of bad characters are
habitual excessive consumers. Most of the petty
thieves are habitual excessive consumers.
53. The excessive indulgence in these drugs
(bhang excepted) incites occasionally to unpreme-
ditated violent crime. There are cases in which
it has led to homicidal frenzy.
54. I do not think they do.
55. Yes, they do occasionally. Complete stupe-
faction may be induced by this drug with or with-
out admixture.
56. (a) The effects of hemp used in moderation
are modified by the admixture of tobacco leaf;
and (b) the effects of hemp used in excess are
modified by the admixture of dhatura and sweet
things. The admixture of dhatura for personal
consumption is practised specially by the fakirs
and for administration to others by criminals.
57. Eating and drinking of charas are never
known to me. Ganja is sometimes eaten or
drunk. When ganja is used in such a way, its
effects are more severe than bhang or siddhi.
58. The excise administration is capable of a
good deal of improvement.
59. It is capable of improvement by prohibiting
the sale of these drugs to young boys, the injuries
suffered by whom have already been expressed.
60. Ganja is not produced in my province.
61. No charas is produced in my province.
63 and 64. Nil.
65. In my opinion the taxation of these drugs
should be enhanced so that the consumers are not
encouraged.
66. There should be different rates according
to their demand.
67. The present method is not objectionable.
68. In all the houses or shops licensed for the
sale of these drugs, these drugs are consumed on
the premises. In my opinion this system is per-
nicious.
69. Before a shop is opened in any locality
the wishes of the people are neither considered nor
consulted. The shops are opened according to the
demand. Local public opinion ought to be con-
sulted where it is expected to be intelligent.
70. There being no Native States in the vici-
nity of this province, there is no importation or
smuggling of hemp drugs from this source.
Importation of these drugs is suspected from be-
yond the inner lines from hill tribes by the savage
tribes residing in the British territories, such as
Miris and Deories.
43. Evidence of REVD. J. P. JONES,* Missionary, Sylhet.
1. Only by mixing with the natives for over
six years and coming in contact with many who
take ganja.
2. Bhang and ganja only are in common use
in this neighbourhood. Very rarely charas is
used. As far as I know, the above definitions
describe the plants in this neighbourhood.
7. Not that I know of.
14. Not to my knowledge.
19. Ganja is used for smoking only in this
district, except when mixed with other things,
when it is sometimes eaten.
20. Nearly 25 per cent. use ganja. Chiefly
among the lower classes.
24. Bhang is only used occasionally at feasts,
etc., and then it is chiefly in drink that they take
it.
25. I believe the use of ganja is on the increase.
This is the opinion of the people generally.
Some years ago people were ashamed of taking it,
but now the people take it openly.
26. Of ganja only—
(a) About 15 to 18 per cent.
(b) About 2 in a thousand.
(c) About 7 to 10 per cent.
(d) About 1 or 2 per cent.
27. Tea-garden coolies are either habitual or
occasional moderate consumers. Where men
work in large numbers together, they all become
more or less consumers of ganja. Prostitutes
generally take ganja.
The habit of taking ganja is formed by associat-
ing with others that take it. On a large bunga-
low that we are building almost all the workmen
take ganja, and they form the habit because one
or two bring ganja with them and others join in
smoking.
28. (a) From one to two annas.
(b) From six to eight annas.
29. Dhatura is used at times.
It is believed
that dhatura mixed with ganja cures certain
kinds of skin diseases.
30. Ganja is used by the generality of men
when at their work, and it is a matter of indiffer-
ence to them whether they are alone or in com-
pany. Bhang (or a preparation of bhang) is
chiefly used in company. It is very rarely that
children take to ganja.
31. It is easy to form the habit of consuming
these drugs, and difficult to give up the habit.
Those who have light work or are comparatively
idle soon develop into excessive consumers.
33. Respectable people look down with con-
tempt upon consumers of ganja, but the habit is
so common among the working classes that they
do not consider it in any way a disgrace to take
it.
34. The people who take it would certainly
consider it a privation to forego it. The people
generally would be glad if it were done away with
altogether.
* Invited to attend at a sitting of the Commission for oral examination but failed to appear.