322
18.Ganja and bhang, if kept quite dry, will
keep for two or three years ; after which it becomes
mildewed and useless. It is said that no measures
will suffice to keep it good for more than three
years.
1
9. Yes.
20. Vide answer to question 17 for ganja.
Charas is not made here.
21. Flat ganja. No other kind here.
22. None in the province.
23. No.
24. All classes eat and drink, but those that eat
are very few as compared with those that drink.
25.Said to be on the increase. It is much
cheaper than opium and spirit.
26. Cannot say. Both ganja and bhang are
consumed in moderation by most of the habituals;
those that use them in excess are few.
27.Vide answer to question 17. The habit is
acquired by association with habitual users.
2 8 .
( a )
Six masas (½tola)
}
(b) Two and a half tolas.
About six pies per
t o l a
2 9 .
( a )
I n g a n j a — t o b a c c o .
( b ) Bichnak root and dhatura seed by con-
firmed excessive smokers to produce extra intoxica-
tion.
Rose buds, aniseed, cucumber seed, coriander seed,
almonds, jedbund, black pepper, etc.
30.Not consumed in solitude. It is almost
wholly confined to the male sex, but not to any
time of life. Children, however, do not take the
drug.
31. Yes ; it becomes a habit if taken regularly
for ten or twelve days ; but it is not difficult to break
off. If the user does not control his wish to obtain
the same full effect he experienced when he first
began the habit.
32. None, except at the festival of Maha Shiva-
ratri, when it is the custom to offer bhang and ganja
to the god, and for the worshippers to consume it
afterwards. This custom is not essential, and
the quantity consumed is in moderation and is not
likely to lead to the formation of a habit.
33. It is not considered to be an evil practice
and degrading to the persons that use all or any of
these drugs. There is a fear that the consumer
may so far forget himself under the influence of the
drug as to do or say something disgraceful. The
plant is not worshipped at all.
34. To religious mendicants, but only for a week
or two, during which, it is said, they would suffer
pains and aches in their arms and legs. Can't
say what is their number.
35. The use of all these drugs could be prohibit-
ed. They would at first, of course, be used
illicitly, but the cultivation of the plant being
strictly prohibited, the source of supply would be
cut off, and the drugs would be unobtainable. No
serious discontent would be caused, nor would such
as arises be any danger to the State. There is no
doubt that the suppression of ganja, etc., would be
followed by a greater demand for alcoholic drinks
or opium, or it may even drive some to bichnak or
dhatura.
36. No reason.
37. Don't know.
38, None, if they are pure, but char is weaker
in intoxicating powers in proportion to weight.
39. Smoking is more injurious than either eating
or drinking ; the former form of taking the drug
flies to the head quickly, it is said, and is the more
injurious.
40. Can't say.
41. No ; they simply produce intoxication.
(a) , (b) and (c) No.
(d) Do not know.
42. I believe it is harmless, for it simply pro-
duces slight intoxication, which pleases the con-
consumer.
43. Yes.
44. Slight intoxication and pleasurable sensa-
tion ; but it does not allay hunger, nor create
appetite. The effect lasts about two hours. The
after-effects are a feeling of dullness and there is
an inclination to indulge in some more.
45.Liver and lungs get deranged, producing
eventually asthma. Mental condition becomes ex-
cited, and in the end stupidity sets in, and morality
is blunted. I am not aware that it brings on
dysentery. It is said to produce insanity in those
who take it in excess, but of what type, whether
temporary or permanent, &c., is not know to me.
I am not acquainted with any cases of insanity,
and therefore cannot give an answer to the previ-
ous paragraph.
46. See above answer.
47 and 48. Can't say.
49 to 53. Don't know.
54. This is said to be the case.
55. First sentence—Don't know. Second sen-
tence—Yes.
56. Have no personal knowledge.
57. Have not heard that they are either eaten
or drunk.
58. It is capable of improvement.
59. By reduction of number of shops for its
sale, separating its sales from those of opium.
Increasing the license fees for cultivation and im-
portation and restricting cultivation to certain
specified areas. Reducing the quantity that may
be sold by retail to 3 tolas. The above would
reduce the production and enhance its value, mak-
ing it more difficult for consumers to obtain, and
when obtained, they would have it only in small
quantities, sufficient to last for from one to five
days according to the habit of consumer.
60. I think the cultivation should be reduced by
charging higher license fees and restricting the
area where it may be grown. The owner should
also be compelled to keep a true account of the
quantity of the drugs obtained from his fields,
s o l d , & c . ; t h e d r u g s t h e m s e l v e s b e i n g k e p t i n a
licensed place open at any time to Government
officers. The cultivator should be bound by his
license to sell to none but persons licensed to sell
these drugs ; we would then have better control
over the drugs.
61. No charas is produced in this province.
62. See answer to questions 60 and 61.
6 3 . S e e a n s w e r t o q u e s t i o n 5 9 . N o s u b l e t t i n g
of the farm should be allowed.
64. The fees should be enhanced, and the im-
port, export, and transport of the drugs should
be under passes or permits obtained from special
responsible Government officers. This would give
less opportunity for smuggling.
65. Too little. Ganja, etc., are too cheap as
intoxicants compared with opium and alcoholic