352
33. The higher classes deprecate the smoking
of ganja, but not eating any of its preparations ;
while the consumption of bhang is not looked
down upon. The objection to ganja smoking is
based on its being considered a low habit and
likely to prove injurious. The hemp plant is not
known to be worshipped in Berar.
34. The classes addicted to smoking ganja and
drinking bhang would look upon its prohibition
as a serious privation. The reasons are that they
would be deprived of a muscular tonic and an
intoxicant of the cheapest kind, which cannot be
substituted for the price. For Berar the 1891-
92 and 1892-93 reports show the probable number
of the class to be 1 seer -and 26 tolas per 100 of
population on an average for ganja smokers, i.e .,
one tola per head. But the figure is not reliable.
35. It is feasible to prohibit the use of all of
these drugs. It can be enforced by the stoppage
of the hemp plant and its importation, in which
case illicit consumption would be rendered difficult
though not impossible. Great discontent would be
caused among consumers, though it may not amount
to a political danger. But a recourse to alcoholic
stimulants and other drugs would become a cer-
tainty.
36. No.
37. There is no practical difference. But charas
is a stronger narcotic.
38. Round ganja and chur are not in use in
Berar.
39. Smoking is a more injurious form of con-
sumption than drinking or eating, as the lungs
seem to become affected after a time.
40. Native doctors do not prescribe the drugs,
but as a home remedy ganja is alone used as a sed-
ative and an astringent for dysentery. Ganja and
bhang are used for vermicide in cattle.
41. (a) Yes, as regards ganja and bhang only.
(b) As above.
(c) Not known.
(d)Ganja wards off the injurious effects of im-
pure and unfiltered water (germicide). No parti-
cular classes can be selected or any proportion stat-
ed. A moderate habitual use is referred to.
42. The moderate use is considered harmless and
beneficial in the ways indicated in reply No 41.
The moderate use of both ganja and bhang produ-
ces activity and vivacity in addition to other bene-
fits.
43. Yes.
44. Bhang and ganja are refreshing. They in-
toxicate—ganja smoking especially—but do not
allay hunger. Produce appetite. The effect of
ganja lasts from twenty to sixty minutes, according
to the state of health and strength of the consumer
and the quantity used, whether smoked or eaten.
There are no after-effects. Want of subsequent
gratification produces longing and uneasiness. As
regards bhang, the effects last from one to two hours,
according to the quantity taken.
45. (a ), (b) and (c) No.
(d) Ganja only produces asthma and bronchitis
in old persons, not dysentery.
(e) The moral sense is impaired after long use,
but laziness is not produced. Habits of immo-
rality and debauchery are produced. Insanity is
riot known in Berar as an effect, nor a deadening
of the intellect.
Bhang is perfectly innocent.
46. Execssive use produces all the evils mentioned
in the previous question, so far as ganja is concern-
ed, but bhang is harmless.
I do not, however, personally know of any case
of insanity resulting from excessive use of ganja.
47 and 48. No, but if a parent or any other mem-
ber of a family uses it, their sons and other mem-
bers imitate and catch the habit sometimes.
49. Ganja is used as an aphrodisiac, but not
bhang. Is rarely used by prostitutes. It is said
ultimately to exercise a reaction and produce impot-
ency after a lapse of time, i.e ., eight or ten years
after.
50. The effects noted in the above reply are
aggravated and require shorter period, i.e ., after four
or five years.
51. No. None.
52. A large proportion of bad characters are
excessive consumers and are given to commit petty
crime and adultery for the gratification of lust.
Bhang excepted.
53. It may, but I do not know of any case that
led to homicidal frenzy.
54. No, but to alleviate fatigue and labour.
55. The preparation of majum is given some-
times to children, in order to stupefy them and
facilitate the robbing of their ornaments ; occasion-
ally also given to women with intent to rob or
dishonour them. Without admixture no complete
stupefaction can be caused.
56. The admixture of milk, melted butter and
almonds lessen the effects ; so does rich, substantial
meals. The gosains, fakirs and bairagis use
dhatura to heighten the narcotic effect of ganja.
Its admixture for administration to others is not
known. Gosains use for personal use.
57. Know nothing of charas being eaten. When
ganja is eaten it is next door to being harmless.
When drunk in the form of bhang it is perfectly
harmless.
58. It is capable of improvement.
59. In the direction of closer supervision over
the cultivator and the seller
.
60. Ganja is produced in the province. Greater
and closer supervision over the cultivation of hemp
is required, there being no separate establishment
for this work, which requires a special staff.
61. Not produced
.
62. Bhang being comparatively harmless, the
only control necessary is to prevent the plant being
used for making ganja. This might be accom-
plished by the aid of a special establishment and
restriction of sale of the plant to one licensed
vendor.
63. The only objection lies in the fact that the
same vendor sells opium. The vendors should be
separated for each drug, and hemp sold only in
small quantities, say up to one tola per man per
diem. A register of sales should be maintained.
67. The farm of vend of hemp should be put up
to auction separately from that of opium.
68. None, Consumption on the premises un-
desirable.
69. People are not apparently consulted, but
should be.
70. Smuggling is only carried on for private
consumption. Duty is only paid on the cultivation
of the plant and when special licenses are applied
for. Untaxed drugs are not used.