47
39. Each preparation is usually put to a single
use (ganja or charas for smoking and bhang for
drinking), and the question of difference in effect,
according as it is eaten or drunk, does not arise.
40. Ganja and bhang have occupied a leading
place in Hindu pharmacy from remote ages.
Bhang is used in the treatment of cattle disease—
see Second Inspector's answer.
41. Moderate use of ganja appears to be bene-
ficial to cultivators, labourers, boatmen, fishermen
and palki-bearers under (b), and also as a pre-
ventive of diseases caused by exposure and in-
clement weather. Ganja is supposed to be a
febrifuge (c), but opium is more efficacious in
this respect. Bhang is good as a food accessory
and also as helping digestion. It is generally
taken before food. It is used by the higher and
middle classes. Moderate habitual use is referred
to; but in the case of bhang it is occasionally
taken to relieve bowel complaints.
Ganja is bad for dysentery and bronchitis.
42. Yes; no ill-effects are observable in moderate
consumers. But with bhadro log and other idle
people there is unfortunately a tendency towards
excess.
43. Quite. I have seen many ganja-smokers,
but none violent or offensive.
45. None of the ill-effects are observable in the
case of hard-working men, such as labourers, fisher-
men, etc., who form the majority of moderate
consumers. They are generally honest house-
holders and live as long, as healthy, and as moral
lives as their non-smoking neighbours do.
As in the case of alcohol, the worst offenders
come from those who lead idle and dissolute lives,
often going to excess, and undoubtedly suffering
physically, mentally, and morally. These are the
men who by their excesses bring into disrepute
any stimulant they may affect.
47. It is not by any means hereditary, nor does
it affect the children of the moderate consumers.
48. As above.
51. I am not aware that there is any connec-
tion between crime and the use of hemp drugs.
52. Occasional excessive use of ganja may lead
to sudden outbursts of passion. Habitual exces-
sive consumers have often irritable tempers.
53. I am not aware of any such case.
54. I am not aware.
55. Hemp drugs cannot be conveniently used
for causing stupefaction, and their use for such a
purpose is unknown.
56. I have information of one case in which a
ganja-smoker mixed dhatura with his drug for
greater intoxication.
58 to 64. See my official note.
65. The duty on charas is the same as on chur
ganja, viz., R8 a seer; but the proportion of
narcotic matter is evidently larger in charas, and
the duty on it should be raised. The duty on
all the three varieties of ganja has undergone
considerable enhancement since the present duty
on charas was fixed in 1880. The question of
raising the duty on chur is under consideration.
It is difficult to compare the taxation of hemp
drugs with reference to alcoholic or other stimu-
lants; but having regard to the cost of daily
average allowance (3 to 6 pies) of ganja, I should
say that the amount of taxation on it is capable
of increase, which can be done by gradually raising
the duty.
66. Yes, taxation is based on the amount of
narcotic substance present in each kind.
67. No.
68. There is no prohibition against consump-
tion on the premises of licensed shops; but, as a
matter of fact, the drugs are always bought and
taken away.
69 and 70. See official note.
Oral evidence.
Question 3.—My statement in answer 5 is
based on the statements of men whom I have
examined, men who have had old experience in
excise matters. Their evidence was unanimous
that bhang grows in Purnea and Bhagalpur in
the low and submerged lands. I am therefore
pretty certain that this is true. As to the districts
of Eastern Bengal I am not so sure. The sub-
mersion of the lands lasts from four to six weeks,
I should say; and the seed remains to reproduce
the plant. It may be that the plants are not
found on the very lowest land. Of course annual
submersion is not necessary, for the plants are
found in Champaran and elsewhere, where the land
is low and moist, though not submerged. As to
the seeds retaining vitality when thus submerged,
I can say nothing. I have not enough of botani-
cal knowledge. I am also uncertain as to the dura-
tion of the submersion. But my information was
that it was on submerged lands that the plant is
generally found. It is found also more on the
north of the river in Monghyr and Bhagalpur.
It is there that the land is lowest. It is in the
cold weather that the plant grows generally. It
is cut, I believe, in Bhagalpur and Purnea in
May and June, or even later. I have not myself
been to those parts; nor have I seen the plant
growing, except stray plants here and there.
My information was obtained from people en-
gaged in the business, and from the Deputy
Collectors who look after this matter in these
districts. I do not think the plants are ever col-
lected in January or so early in the year. It is
not so in Behar; nor, I think, in Bengal.
The supply of the market comes from Monghyr,
Purnea and Bhagalpur only. The bhang is of
superior quality in these districts; and it is there-
fore used. The supply is practically unlimited,
quite large enough to supply any possible demand.
I have never heard of the collection of bhang
seeds. I believe that bhang is an annual; but I
think I have known plants live for more than one
year. I am not certain.
Question 32.—I cannot give any reason for the
development of Trinath Puja accompanied with
ganja-smoking. It is due to a belief in the
efficacy of this worship for warding off illness. It
is a thing which has developed within the memory
of living men. I cannot give definite inform-
ation regarding its origin. I believe it was first
started by a man in the Dacca district. I shall
endeavour to ascertain what its origin was.
Question 62.—I think that the chief objection to
the prohibition of the growth of bhang in culti-
vated lands is that it leads to so much harassment
of the people, and it would require so large an
establishment. As regards the unoccupied land
(i.e., the untenanted land) it would be in my opi-
nion hopeless. I do not think it would be very