194
it is regarded with indifference. Habitual indul-
gence in the drug makes a man useless and untrust-
worthy. It makes him irritable and hot-tempered.
This is the reason why the use of the drug is held
in disrepute. There is no custom of worshipping
the hemp plant. Consumption of bhang is gene-
rally regarded with indifference. There is no
social public opinion against it. There is a general
practice of consuming the drug on the occasion of
certain religious festivals, as noted in answer to
question 32.
34. It would be a serious privation to sanyasis
(religious devotees) as well as to boatmen, chan-
dals, and other labouring classes to forego the con-
sumption of ganja. The sanyasis or religious
devotees are able to bear exposure to the inclemen-
cies of the weather owing to the excessive con-
sumption of the drug. They also consider the
drug to be useful in concentrating their thoughts
and subduing their passions. They would thus
consider it a great hardship to be deprived of the
drug. Men of the labouring classes who have
contracted the habit of using the drug will not be
able to work as hard as they are now able to do
if they be not allowed to indulge in the drug.
The probable number of each class in this dis-
trict likely to be affected by the prohibition is as
follows:—
Sanyasis and bairagis 500; boatmen 2,000;
Chandals 2,000; other labourers 5,000.
I think there would be no serious privation if
the consumption of bhang is prohibited.
The figures given in
the preceding paragraph
must be considered as
very problematical. I
do not consider that it
would be feasible to pro-
hibit the use of ganja
altogether considering
that its use is necessary
at certain religious festi-
vals, and that it is
required
by
certain
classes.
A. E.
35. I think it would be feasible to prohibit the
consumption of ganja and
bhang by legislation. The
drug would be consumed
illicitly for a certain time,
but such illicit consumption
could soon be checked by our
detective officers. The pro-
hibition could be enforced by
stopping all supply, and
keeping a strict eye over
illegal cultivation of the hemp plant. The prohibi-
tion would at first occasion serious discontent
among the consumers, but there is very little pro-
bability of such discontent amounting to a politi-
cal danger. Very few of the ganja consumers
would betake themselves to alcoholic stimulants
as they are much more expensive, but most will,
I believe, begin to consume opium. I do not
think the consumers of bhang will betake them-
selves to any other sort of intoxicants.
I agree.
A. E.
36. I do not think that alcohol is being sub-
stituted for any of the
drugs—ganja and bhang.
37. No information about charas.
38. No difference.
39. Ganja is seldom eaten or drunk. Hence the
effect of smoking ganja cannot be compared with
either of eating or drinking it. Bhang is seldom
smoked, hence no comparison is possible in this
case.
40. Ganja is prescribed by Kabirajes for ex-
ternal application in cases of certain skin diseases.
Bhang is prescribed for all sorts of bowel com-
plaints and for debility. Bhang is used in the
treatment of cattle disease.
41. Moderate habitual use. of ganja is beneficial
in its effects, as it gives (b) staying-power under
severe exertion or exposure and alleviates fatigue.
(c) It also acts as a preventive of fever and other
diseases. It has the effect of alleviating pain due
to rheumatism and leprosy. Ganja does not act
as a food accessory or digestive.
About 25 per cent. of boatmen, 10 per cent. of
chandals, 10 per cent. of labourers, and almost cent.
per cent. of sanyasis use the drug for some one or
other of the purposes enumerated under head (b).
No special classes can be mentioned who use the
drug for any of the other purposes.
Moderate habitual use of bhang is beneficial in
its effects—
(a) As a digestive.
(b) Nil.
(c) As a preventive of bowel complaints.
(d) Nil.
Bhang is used as a digestive (a) by about 2 per
cent. of the Bhadralok classes, and as a preventive
of bowel complaints by men of all classes who
happen to be subject to the malady.
42. Habitual moderate consumption of ganja
produces cough and dysentery, so it cannot be pro-
nounced harmless.
I agree.
A. E.
43. Yes.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use
of ganja and bhang on the habitual consumer is
that it refreshes him. It does not produce intoxi-
cation. It does not allay hunger, but on the other
hand sharpens the appetite.
The effect of ganja lasts for two or three hours,
but that of bhang for about twelve hours. There
are no after-effects.
The want of subsequent
gratification produces uneasiness.
45. Habitual moderate use of ganja impairs
the constitution slightly, and gives the body a
dried and parched appearance. It does not injure
digestion, but if the habitual consumer does not
get any ganja to smoke for some time he will
almost lose his appetite. If the practice be con-
tinued for a long time, it may in the end cause dy-
sentery and asthma, specially if the consumer does
not take a sufficient quantity of milk. It impairs
the moral sense to a certain extent and makes
people reckless about telling lies. It makes people
talkative and irritable. It does not introduce
laziness or habits of immorality and debauchery.
Habitual moderate use of ganja deadens the in-
tellect to a certain extent, but does not produce
insanity. Habitual moderate use of bhang does
not produce any noxious effects, physical, mental
or moral.
46. Habitual excessive consumption of ganja
impairs the constitution, causes dysentery, bronchi-
tis, and asthma in most cases. It does not injure
the digestion. It deadens the intellect and pro-
duces insanity. The typical symptoms are that
the person talks incoherently, sings songs, and
passes sleepless nights. I am acquainted with the
case of one Gopal Chandra Dom. He at first
indulged in alcoholic drugs, and afterwards he took
himself to ganja and turned insane. It must be
here noted that there are cases in which persons
suffering from mental anxiety or disease of the
brain use the drug to alleviate their sufferings,
but such cases are distinct from those in which
the consumption of ganja is the immediate cause
of insanity. I know also of the case of one Ban-
gusheik, who has begun to consume ganja after
he had been insane for a long time.
47 and 48. The habitual moderate use of ganja
and bhang does not appear to be a hereditary
habit, but the bad example sometimes produces
evil effects, and the children of moderate consumers
are found to indulge in the drug very early.