75
the cessation of the habit does not cause any of
the intense craving, uneasiness, and actual illness
caused by the cessation of the opium habit. In
the case of bhang there does not appear to be any
strong tendency for the moderate habit to develop
into the excessive. In the case of ganja, a great
deal depends on the circumstances of the con¬
sumers. Men of fixed occupation, who get no
opportunity or temptation to indulge till late at
night, usually remain moderate consumers all
their lives; but in the case of men of no fixed em¬
ployment (especially religious mendicants), there
is a marked tendency for the moderate habit to
develop into the excessive.
32. It is a social custom among Hindus to
drink bhang on the last day of the Durga Puja.
The drink is offered to every guest and every
member of the household. The use of the drug
does not appear to be regarded as in any way
essential; it is apparently merely a sign of hos¬
pitality. The consumption is usually moderate;
indeed, it is often a mere form. It is not likely
to lead to the formation of the habit.
33. Among the upper classes the occasional
use of bhang is tolerated, but the habitual or ex¬
cessive use is considered disreputable. Among
the upper classes the use of ganja is considered
disreputable. Among the respectable cultivating
classes (including in that term Hindus of higher
castes and the ordinary Muhammadan cultivators
of this part of the province), the use of ganja is
rare, and such few ganja smokers as there are, are
generally regarded as rather shady characters.
But among the low caste Hindus and among the
labouring classes generally the ganja smoker is
not thought any worse than his fellows.
There is no custom of worshipping the hemp
plant on any occasion. But ganja usually forms
part of the offerings made at certain shrines of
Siva.
34. It would undoubtedly cause discontent
among habitual ganja smokers if they were de¬
prived of their ganja, but I cannot say that it
would be any serious privation to them.
35. It would be absolutely impossible to prevent
the use of bhang. Any attempt to do so would
produce no effect, except the harassment of inno¬
cent people and the enrichment of underlings in
the police and excise departments. The only way
in which the use of ganja could be prevented
would be by entirely cutting off the supply. It
would be perfectly possible to put a stop to the
cultivation of the ganja plant in this and the
adjoining districts, and to prevent the cultivation
of the plant on any considerable scale in this prov¬
ince. If, however, ganja continued to be pro¬
duced elsewhere, it would certainly be smuggled
into Bengal, and it would be impossible to prevent
such smuggling. I have no information as to
whether the production of ganja is or could be
carried on on any considerable scale in Nepal or any
other Native State; but the possibility of such
production should be carefully considered before
any measure of prohibition is resorted to. So
long as illicit ganja could be obtained, the prohi¬
bition of the production here would do more harm
than good. The prohibition of cultivation would
cause some loss to the cultivators, but would not
deprive them of their means of livelihood, as they
could grow other crops. The wholesale dealers
would suffer more seriously, but their number is
small.
Prohibition would cause considerable discontent
among habitual consumers, but such discontent
would not in Bengal amount to a political danger.
I cannot speak for other provinces. I regard it
as certain that, in event of effectual prohibition
of the production of ganja, the majority of
persons who now consume ganja would spend on
other stimulants the whole of the money which
they now spend on ganja. The up-country
labouring classes and low caste men generally
prefer spirits to ganja, and only resort to ganja
because it is cheaper.
36. I do not find any evidence of any such
change in this district.
37. I have no experience of the effects of charas
smoking.
38. There is no difference in kind in the effects.
In this district, where flat ganja is consumed, it
is generally reputed that round ganja is stronger;
but I do not believe that there is really any great
difference in their effects between these two kinds,
or between them and chur.
39. Drinking bhang is less injurious than
smoking ganja.
I have seen many men who have ruined their
constitution by excessive ganja smoking, but I
have never myself come across any one who had
suffered to any serious extent from drinking
bhang.
40. Ganja and bhang are both made use of by
kabirajes.
Bhang is frequently used in the treatment of
cattle diseases.
41. (a) Both ganja and bhang are said to
cause a temporary increase of appetite, but their
use in this direction can hardly be said to be
beneficial.
(b) Ganja undoubtedly has the effect of alle¬
viating fatigue. Bhang also has, I believe, the
same effect; they are both reputed to give staying
power under severe exertion.
It is a fact that a large proportion of ganja
smokers are found among those classes of labour¬
ers (such as palki-bearers) whose work involves
severe exertion, and these men often display
remarkable staying power, but whether the ganja
gives them the staying power I cannot say. Such
men are generally habitual moderate consumers.
42. The occasional moderate use of bhang
appears to be absolutely harmless. The habitual
moderate use of bhang does not appear to cause
any noticeable ill effect. The occasional use of
ganja causes unpleasant effects at the time, and
is therefore rare.
The habitual moderate use of ganja does not
appear to cause any noticeable injurious effects
in men who lead an active life. I do not think
that the use of ganja can be said to be entirely
harmless under any circumstances.
43. I have never heard of any case in which a
moderate consumer made himself actively offen¬
sive to his neighbours. Even moderate con¬
sumers are regarded with a certain amount of
disgust by their more respectable neighbours, but
they never tend to become violent, nor indeed do
they interfere with their neighbours in any way.
44. Bhang consumed in moderation by an
habitual consumer produces slight intoxication
and hilarity; it creates appetite for the time be-
ing. Its effects last for ten or twelve hours.
N 2