509
kabirajes. The kabiraj who was going to get the
signatures informed us that the people whose names
appear under the appendices would subscribe to
them, and therefore their concurrence was assumed
before signature. The opinions of Kabiraj Gopi
Mohun Roy and Benod Lal Sen have been sepa-
rately submitted to a Committee of the Associa-
tion, and are now tendered* as additional appen-
dices.
The views of the Association are to suppress
ganja, charas, bhang and majum, and to prohibit
the cultivation of the hemp plant. The Association
has considered the extensive use of ganja by
devotees and fakirs, and sees no difficulty in
depriving them of the drug. We are aware of
the extent to which the drug is used by such
persons all over India, and are of opinion that it
is not necessary for them, and that they will have
no real grievance if the supply is cut off. We
have considered the use by the labouring classes,
and we do not believe in the use remaining moder-
ate for any length of time. The members of the
Association are pleaders and educated gentlemen
in Calcutta and mufassal towns. The devotees
and labouring classes are not represented on the
Association; but we had talk with some of them.
Our experience of the lower classes is entirely
confined to Calcutta and the mufassal towns.
The difficulty of suppressing siddhi is recog-
nised in the paragraph relating to religious sanc-
* Not received.
tion. This difficulty arises from the fact that the
hemp plant grows wild. Though people in remote
villages might use bhang from the wild plants
growing scattered about their huts, the use of it
by the general public may be almost suppressed
by stopping the licensed vend. I include in the
general public not only the town people, but all
the people of the country.
We have considered whether the suppression
of ganja and other hemp drugs might lead to
the use of alcoholic liquors; and we think that
there is little danger of this, because (1) all
Hindus and Mahomedans are by their religion-
forbidden to take wine; (2) wine is much more
costly than the hemp drugs; (3) the raising of
the duty on ganja has resulted in a decrease in
the consumption of the drug without any corre-
sponding increase in the consumption of liquor.
With regard to the possibility of dhatura being
substituted for the hemp drugs, it has been
thought that people are afraid to use dhatura
because it is poisonous and likely to produce
insanity, and also that it cannot be had in suffi-
cient quantity to replace ganja. Both alcohol
and dhatura would be more harmful than ganja.
I am requested by the Association to draw
special attention to that part of their paper rela-
ting to the cultivation of the plant, and the
pitiable condition of the cultivators owing to
their losses. The Association is aware that the
cultivators are under no compulsion to cultivate
the plant, but thinks the condition of the culti-
vators a reason for suppressing the cultivation.
239. Evidence of MAHARAJA DOORGA CHARAN LAW, C.I.E., Merchant, Calcutta.
16. Bhang is generally prepared, as far as I
know, by people in their houses.
32. Siddhi or bhang is to a certain extent con-
nected with the religious customs of this country,
it being considered imperatively necessary to lay it
as an offering in our pujas.
34. It would be a serious privation if consumers
are to forego the use of the drug.
35. The prohibition would certainly cause
serious discontent, the evil effect of which I am
unable to estimate.
40. Yes; they are prescribed for their medici-
nal properties.
41. They are perfectly harmless when taken in
moderation, and certainly operate beneficially for
the purposes stated in clauses (a), (b) and (c).
42. Moderate use is harmless, as I have already
stated.
43. I never heard of any disturbances to neigh-
bours resulting from the use of the drugs.
240. Evidence of BABU NITYA NANDA ROY, Teli, Merchant and Zamindar,
Chittagong.
1. My experience on the subject depends upon
the reports from the persons who seem to have
fair knowledge of the trade, use and consumption
of hemp drug.
As I have no personal experience in many points
under notice I have answered them from informa-
tion I have gathered. However, trust my glean-
ings will be of some use before the Commission.
2. The definitions given here are equally accepted
in this district also. These products are called in
the same name, excepting bhang which is obtained
in this place from a plant, namely, bhang grows
spontaneously in Satkaniah and Fallickcherry, It.
is indigenous growth of the district, has narcotic
virtue.
3. I am told in the Province of Behar and Dis-
tricts of Rajshahi and Rangpur hemp grows spon-
taneously. This drug is imported article in this
district.
4. It is known in Chittagong generally by
name of ganja, sometimes called in by terms,
amongst hemp-smokers by name of "siddi" and
"bara tamook." I do not know different names
it bears in different countries.
But the above
refers to the same plant.
5. I believe, if cultivated, the hemp will grow
in all elevated parts of Bengal, and if the seeds
are kept in the tree in time when they will be
strewn about by the wind, they will grow, though
not luxuriantly in the very soil. I am not aware
what special climate is necessary to grow wild
hemp.
6. I have no idea of it.
7. No. Only for speciality in some gardens
scarcely a tree or two are grown under permission
of the Excise officer.
8. Never cultivated in the district.
11. I have no idea of it.