81
51. Petty thefts are committed by those who
have been long addicted to the use of ganja,
and whose intellectual faculties and moral sense
are impaired. Violent crimes are also committed
by those under the influence of the drug.
52. In the acute stage riotings and murders
occur.
53. Yes. I know of no such case.
54. From what I can learn, I should certainly
say yes.
55. There is reason to believe so. But in such
cases generally dhatura and opium are used in
addition.
56. Ganja smoked without tobacco leaves is
irritating to the throat, producing violent cough¬
ing. Bhang used with black pepper has a cooling
effect. Nothing special.
57. Ganja eaten does not produce intoxication
so rapidly as when smoked.
58. The system under which ganja and bhang
are supplied to the consumers has been known to
cause no inconvenience to the public, and is
believed to be working well. In view, however,
of the increasing consumption of ganja, there
ought to be further check in the shape of enhanced
duty.
59. See above.
60. No cultivation in Manbhum.
63 and 64. No objection.
65. There is no great disparity in the rates of
taxation upon ganja and bhang. But supposing
that one pice worth of ganja gives as much intoxi¬
cation as four pice worth of country liquor and
two pice worth of opium, I should say that there
is ample room for improvement in the taxation of
ganja.
66. There should be different rates of taxation
for different kinds of ganja, according to the
amount of intoxication that a particular kind of
ganja is supposed to induce.
67. None: only this, that with a view to
check further increase of ganja consumption,
rates of duty should be further enhanced.
68. None in this district.
69. Yes.
33. Evidence of Mr. R. H. RENNY, Deputy Commissioner of Singhbum.
2. These definitions may be accepted. Such
are the names by which their products are known
to me.
3. None.
4 to 6. See above.
7 to 9. I believe so, but not in my district.
10 and 11. Don't know.
12. I have no knowledge on this subject.
13. Yes; to Rajshahi, Bogra, and Dinajpur dis¬
tricts. Cannot say why. I have no knowledge
as to conditions of climate, soil, etc., nor am I able
to say if there are any parts of this (Bengal)
province where its cultivation would be impossible.
From cases which have come up before me for
trial in both Chota Nagpur and Behar, I find that
it is possible to grow the plant in these divisions,
but I am unable to say whether or no this can be
done on an extensive scale or not. In the cases
referred to, only a plant or two were detected.
14. In this province (Bengal), yes. In my
district no, so far as I know.
15. I have no knowledge on these subjects.
16. Bhang not in this district. Ganja, I know,
can be prepared from the wild plant. I have
come across cases in which people have been
prosecuted for so preparing it. I have no inform¬
ation in regard to charas.
17. I don't know, as they are not made in this
district.
18. Yes, it deteriorates by keeping; it loses its
effect in time. It remains good for a year with
ordinary care. Moisture and dampness are the
causes of deterioration. To prevent deterioration
it should be kept in a tin-lined box placed in well
ventilated rooms.
19. Ganja and charas are generally used for
smoking, but the former is occasionally used for
medical purposes. Ganja boiled in cocoanut-oil
becomes a medicine for itch, and is used in almost
all the districts of Bengal.
20. Fakirs and sadhus, Bengalis, Uriyas,
Beharis, Muhammadans, Tamarias, Uraons, and
Bhuians smoke ganja. About 5 per cent. of the
population of these classes smoke ganja. In this
district ganja is used at Chaibassa, Baharagorah,
Ghatsilla, Chakradharpur, and Manaharpur, and
all over the district. Charas is not in use in this
district.
21. Round ganja is preferred. The other
kinds are not used here.
22. See concluding portion of answer to ques¬
tion No. 20.
23. No.
24. Bhang is both eaten and drunk by Ben¬
galis and Beharis in summer season only. At
least 10 per cent. of these two classes use it.
There is no particular locality, but this is done in
places where these people live.
25. On the decrease, as prices of all principal
food-grains are ruling high.
26. In this district there are habitual moderate
consumers of ganja and bhang only. Their pro¬
portions are respectively 5 and 10 per cent.
27. About classes of people, I have already
answered in questions Nos. 20 and 24. As far as
this district is concerned, the use of ganja and
charas is not due to any particular habits of life or
circumstances.
29. Tobacco leaves are ordinarily mixed with
ganja and dhatura is mixed with bhang only.
These admixtures are intended to increase intoxi-
cation. The ingredients mixed with bhang are
anise, a species of parsley, and cardamom. They
are known by the name of bhang massala.
30. As regards first part of the question I have
no knowledge. Ganja and bhang are partaken of
by both males and females. Children do not con¬
sume any of these
drugs.
31. Yes, the habit is easily formed in respect
of ganja and charas. Yes, difficult to break off.
Yes, there is a tendency for the moderate habit to
develop into the excessive.
o