403
(b) The number of habitual excessive con-
sumers are only few, and would not go beyond
one-sixteenth of the population.
(c) and (d).
It is believed that occasional
moderate consumers and occasional excessive con-
sumers number themselves very few and do not
come under any proportion.
27. From the proportion stated above, it will be
seen that the labouring classes and artizans mostly
take up to consume ganja.
28. The average allowance per diem ranges
generally from one-eighth of a tola to a quarter
tola to a moderate consumer, and from half a tola
to two tolas for a habitual excessive consumer. I
have seen two or three men that smoke half a powa
of ganja per diem. The average cost ranges
according to the quantity of ganja they daily
consume, though it is said that a moderate consu-
mer can manage with half an anna a day, while
an excessive consumer requires four annas per
diem.
29. I have heard that some exceptional ganja-
smokers mix dhatura with ganja to make it more
strong, but the number of such men is very limited.
I don't know whether any other massala is mixed
with bhang except some spices to make it fragrant.
Sometimes patti, as stated in paragraph 14, is used
by certain bhang drinkers who find bhang not
strong enough to afford them that height of intoxi-
cation to which they like to indulge. Some use
bhang and patti mixed together.
30. The consumption of each of these drugs is
mostly practised in solitude, though often habitual
ganja-smokers who are neighbours, come to meet
in certain parts of the day to pass their lazy hours
in pleasant talks, refreshing and exhilarating them-
selves on the fumes of ganja. It is the male sex
that usually consume it, and except some public
women of the bazar no one of the other sex indulges
in ganja. The few children that addict to ganja-
smoking are considered lost children.
31. The habit of consuming ganja is early form-
ed especially in bad companies, and if once formed
it is difficult to break off. And it is often found
that habitual consumers turn up excessive consu-
mers.
32. Among Hindus in certain form of worships
of their god Mahadeva ganja is used, but it is not
much observed now by the gentry. Recently
among the low class people, a new ceremonial by the
name of Tinlakpeer has come into custom, in which
ganja is the chief ingredient. In observing the
ceremony, habitual and occasional ganja-smokers,
even non-smokers, freely mix, and all indulge in
ganja-smoking, and in these so-called religious
meets people are taught to taste ganja which is
really injurious.
33. The consumption of any of these drugs is
considered prejudicial. The religious idea of using
them is now-a-days discouraged and disreputed;
though certain religious sects, mostly ascetics, re-
gard ganja-smoking as a necessity to lead their
religious life and achieve the object of their religion.
Among people in this district ganja plants are not
worshipped, and I have not even heard of any such
custom.
34. Though ganja-smoking is thought to be
injurious, still it will be a privation, specially to
the labouring class of the population, to forego it
altogether. And if ganja is no more allowed to
them, they will mostly addict to spirit drinking
which will be practically more prejudicial to their
health as well as to their income. Ganja is used
in this country from very traditionary times, and
it is no introduction of Western civilization. To
meet their cravings for intoxication it suits more
the constitution of the people than any other in-
toxicating ingredient.
35. The prohibition of ganja in particular
might occasion some discontent among certain
classes that cannot do without it. But I think cer-
tain restriction is more advisable than prohibition.
In my opinion no political danger except clamour is
probable by such a discontent. The total pro-
hibition of ganja will force the people to addict to
alcoholic stimulants or dhatura which are regarded
more injurious than ganja.
36. To a certain extent alcoholic stimulants
have been substituted for these drugs, as ganja-
smoking is considered as an ignoble habit of the
low people. People are also prone to the fashion
of the time. Among alcoholic drinkers, those
that drink European liquors are regarded more
dignified than country wine consumers.
37. It is said that charas-smoking in moderate
shape is milder than ganja-smoking.
38. I have no experience about the matter
entered in this question.
39. I have not experience enough to pass any
opinion on the matter in this question.
40. I know that native kabirajes make some
sort of aphrodisiac medicine, rather confections,
in which ganja is one of the ingredients. Bhang
is used sometimes as a digestive medicine. I have
never seen ganja to be used for cattle diseases.
41. Moderate use of ganja, as I said before,
gives staying power under severe exertion or
exposure, or to alleviate fatigue. As for other
matters referred in this question, I have no better
knowledge.
42. I cannot say that use of ganja in any shape
and form is harmless in the long run.
43. Ganja-smokers are invariably considered
men of rash and impetuous character.
44. I can only say that moderate use of ganja
is refreshing, and produces intoxication and pro-
motes appetite to a certain extent.
45. The matters referred in this question are
more in the sphere of medical men than that of
mine to answer.
46. I have nothing more to answer than what
I have done in paragraph 45. But I can so far
say that habitual excessive consumers generally
degrade themselves mentally and morally, as well
as physically.
47. Though the habit of ganja-smoking is not
exactly hereditary, but it gives license to the
posterity to addict into the pernicious habit of
smoking ganja.
48. I have nothing more to state than what I
have said in paragraph 47. The question partly
needs medical knowledge to be answered.
49. It is said that ganja, but not bhang, has
aphrodisiac properties.
50. It is rather powerfully poisonous when
used in excessive quantities.
51. I can say that most of the bad characters
are ganja-smokers; and it is ganja that makes
them impetuous and bold to perpetrate the foul
actions they commit.
52. I believe they grow up more fierce and
turbulent by the excessive use of ganja.
3 H 2