262
Moderate consumers of ganja and charas (arti-
sans, carpenters, dyers, stone-masons, etc.) would
feel inconvenience. About one-third of the con-
sumers, I should think, were addicted to ganja
and charas.
3 5 . I t w o u l d
n o t ,
I consider, be feasible to pro-
hibit the use of bhang on account of its universal
use.
Ganja could with difficulty be brought under
control by restricting cultivation and the quantity
the contractor is allowed to import and sell, and
gradually reducing the same yearly, and fixing
the prices (high) at which it would be sold.
Charas— Being of foreign manufacture could be
prohibited, but smuggling would undoubtedly
prevail.
The drug being of small bulk is easly smuggled.
Prohibition would cause some
a m o u n t o f d i s c o n - t e n t a m o n g c o n s u m e r s , b u t l e s s i f t h e p r o h i b i t i o n
could be gradually applied. Recourse in case of
prohibition could be had to other drugs, especially
by poorer classes. Nothing could be done
without co-operation of surrounding foreign
States.
3 6 . F r o m c l o s e e n q u i r i e s m a d e I f i n d t h a t t h e r e
are very few men who have taken to alcohol after
leaving off the use of drugs. On account of the
dearness of liquor it is not likely that recourse
would be had to it. A pice or two of drugs
satisfies a man, whereas it would require 3 annas,
the price of 2 drams of the cheapest liquor, to
satisfy him .
3 7 . C h a r a s i n t o x i c a t e s s o o n e r t h a n g a n j a . I t
heats the system and is therefore better used in
cold weather. If used in the hot weather, it is
said to affect the eyes; it also causes a throbbing
in the temples of the head. If the habit of the
consumer is to drink water after smoking, it
loosens the teeth.
Ganja is cooling in its effects and is used by
fakirs to suppress the passions.
3 8 . F l a t g a n j a i s u s e d i n S i n d ; t h e c o n t r a c t o r
states it is stronger than round ganja.
3 9 . B h a n g i s o n l y d r u n k , a n d g a n j a a n d c h a r a s
smoked in the province.
41. Bhang is said to be an appetiser and diges-
tive, possesses also carminative and soporific
properties. It is generally used by men follow-
ing occupations which do not call for much exer-
tion, such as merchants, brokers, clerks, shop-
keepers, camel-drivers, etc.
Charas and ganja are said to give staying-power
under severe exertion, on account of which, and as
being a cheap intoxicant, they are much used by
labourers, artisans (carpenters, blacksmiths, stone-
masons, dyers, etc.) I have interrogated many
men following such avocations, and they say that
these drugs enable them to undergo severe exer-
tion, and that they partly act as appetisers. It
might in their case only act as such, but in the
case of men given to slothful habits, I think it
would not; as I observed that such men who use
g a n j a a n d c h a r a s h a v e n o t t h e h e a l t h y l o o k t h a t
labourers and artisans have.
(c) Have not heard of them used as a febri-
fuge.
42. Bhang, I consider, would be harmless to
men who, using it in moderation, ate well of
sufficient nourishing food.
Ganja and charas are only suitable to men
following callings requiring severe exertion or to
men of a robust physique: in their case, provided
they ate well.
These drugs would be beneficial only as enab-
ling them to undergo exertion. I have come to
these conclusions by observing the condition of
the men whom I have interrogated.
43. Yes.
44. The effect of the moderate use of these
drugs on moderate habitual consumers is refresh--
ing.
Bhang produces slight intoxication, creates
appetite, cools the system by removing bile,
produces indisposition for work immediately after
consumption. Habitual consumers feel the
want of the drug, but nothing more. Intoxica-
tion lasts ½ to 1 hour.
Ganja produces intoxication lasting fr
o m 1 t o
2 h o u r s ,
i s r e f r e s h i n g t o t h o s e w h o a r e h a r d
workers, such as labourers or artisans (by others
used as an intoxicant only); it cools the system,
but does not create appetite. Little or no after-
effects to those subject to active work and who
eat well.
Charas warms the system—intoxication like that
of ganja, but wearing off sooner, refreshing and
appetising to hard workers and robust men. Want
of gratification produces longing. Little or on
after-effects to hard workers and robust men who
eat well.
45. Bhang used moderately is said not to impair
the constitution.
Ganja and charas can be used even in moder-
ation and without apparent injury to constitution
by men leading an active or labourer's life and who
eat well. Pathans, Seedees, and others who use
charas moderately, do not suffer by it, as they
live well and are of a robust constitution.
46. Bhang is difficult to use excessively being
taken in a liquid form and a small quantity of
the drug being used in its preparation.
Ganja and charas both thin the vital sap, and
are apt to produce impotence, especially ganja.
Charas affects the eye-sight, teeth, and chest
causing coughing and asthma.
I have come to the above conclusions from
questioning closely many habitual consumers, who
have been smokers all their lives.
57. Ganja and charas as invariably smoked in
this province, and not eaten.
58. I consider it to be working well.
60 and 61. Ganja is not produced in Sind.
62. Cultivation might (if necessary) be confined
to some central part of the province only, so as
to minimise the possibilities for the removal of the
drug illicitly.
63 and 64. No.
65. Yes.
6 6 . O n l y f l a t g a n j a i s u s e d h e r e . C o n t r a c t o r s
should be encouraged to use the best ganja so as to
reduce the temptation to the smuggling of a quan-
-tity of ganja superior to that used.
67. No.
68. In Karachi, there are places called Shaki-
- k h a n a s , w h e r e b h a n g o n l y i s p r e p a r e d a n d s o l d .
These have been in existence for very many years
and have been brought under control, and the
number of them limited. They are a convenience