382
Doubtless ganja-smokers are of uncertain and irrit-
able temper, but I do not think its effects in that
way are worse or even as bad as those of alcohol,
and I believe it to be a stimulant better adapted
to the native constitutions. There is no doubt
that a man can degrade himself mentally, morally,
and physically by excess in the use of hemp drugs
in the same way as an alcoholist can do; but I
think the substitution of alcohol for hemp drugs
(and alcohol is to my mind the inevitable substi-
tute) would only magnify what evil at present
exists.
The practice of ganja-smoking is not, I think,
hereditary, but in certain families it might be
called traditional.
It is of course true that most bad characters
are ganja-smokers. But whether their vicious
tendencies have induced them to take to ganja-
smoking or the blame of their moral deterioration
is to be attributed to the indulgence in this habit,
I cannot say. However, I cannot fully believe
that ganja is so much responsible for crime as that
criminals make use of ganja as a necessary
sedative after, or a stimulant before, the commis-
sion of crime.
With regard to the questions asked in chapter
VII by the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, I
do not think that I can make suggestions of any
value without going further into the matter.
I have only to say that there are ganja shops
in almost every town and village in the district,
but I do not at present feel in a position to com-
mit myself to any suggestion as to how the exist-
ing state of things could be improved. It is certain
that ganja shops do not spring up in defiance of
public opinion, as the supply is very unlikely
to go where there is no demand, and it is unlike
a shop-keeper to take his wares to a bad market.
The habit of ganja-smoking has the authority
of long custom and tradition, and I think the
chasas or agriculturists, who are the principal con-
sumers, would consider themselves hardly treated
were they deprived of such a necessary luxury. If
any steps can be taken to check its abuse, I am
heartily in favour of their adoption. But, as I
have said before, I think that ganja has now
become a positive necessity to the lower classes;
and it must be remembered that it is no innova-
tion of western civilization, but a habit dating
back, I may say, from very ancient times, the
sudden eradication of which would be difficult.
In conclusion, I have only to say that I have
refrained from touching any points which lie out-
side the scope of my personal knowledge, but I
believe that such information as I have given you
will be found in the main correct and I hope use-
ful.
165. Evidence of RAJA RANAJIT SINGH, Vaisya, Zamindar, Nashipur, District
Murshidabad.
20. I know of no special classes which use ganja,
charas, or bhang as a rule in excess. The drug is
in moderate quantities used by sanyasis, up-coun-
try people, and the labouring classes, especially in
the agricultural and swampy districts of Bengal.
41. The drug is used in moderate quantities with
the object of producing narcotic and exhilarating
effects, as also relieving fatigue after labour.
28, About an anna worth of the drug is regard-
ed as moderate consumption.
31. The moderate use of the drug, especially
ganja, does not unfrequently tend to develop into
the excessive use.
32. The drug, especially bhang, is ordinarily
used on the occasion of the Holi festival by up-
country people, and less so by some people in Ben-
gal on the Dussara day.
46. The effects of the drug when used in (a)
moderation are narcotic, and when used in (b)
excess, general weakness and prostration, loss of
appetite, and ultimate dysentery, especially when
the frame is not supported by milk and other sub-
stantial food. These effects in the case of charas
are serious; so far as ganja is concerned mode-
rately so, and in the case of bhang not consider-
able.
29. Such admixtures as dhatura, soot, and the
juice of pan leaves, are used with ganja with the
object of making the drug strong, while in order to
produce mild effects are mixed with the drug kahoo,
kashni, koolfa, gokra kanta, rose petals, jastimodhu,
cucumber (shasha) seeds, sounf, kharbooza seeds,
Gujrati ilachi, and golmarich. Of these, the dha-
tura and soot appear to be noxious, the former of
which is more frequently and knowingly consumed
with the drugs with the object of making it
strong.
55. This question is answered in reply to ques-
tion 29.
35. Except for financial considerations, the use
of hemp drug, especially charas, should be prohi-
bited. But for the protection of revenue, the use
of ganja and bhang should be continued under
restrictions. The question is not one without
difficulty. The imposition of stricter terms should
be gradual, so that the difficulty to those who are
in the habit of regularly using the drugs should
be slow in their appreciation. Bhang, pure and
simple, is not so deleterious as the other two forms
of hemp. Hence a free use of this drug will to
some extent make up for the restricted use of
ganja. The suppression of charas and the re-
stricted use of ganja, will in some measure
affect revenue. The rise of the price of ganja
and bhang may to some extent compensate for
the loss of revenue, but an unreasonable rise is
fraught with the danger of adulteration of the drugs
with deleterious matter such as dhatura, etc.
If this latter can be guarded against, partial pro-
hibition of the drugs as indicated above may be
possible.
166. Evidence of RAI RADHA GOVINDA RAI, SAHIB BAHADUR, Kayasth,
Zamindar, Dinajpur.
1. Contact with persons who use the drugs and
from informations received from other sources. In
a portion of my zamindari, within the districts of
Bogra and Rajshahi ganja is grown, specially in
the subdivision of Naogaon.
2. The three definitions given of the ganja may