32
perparations may be taken at about 2 (two) per cent.
of the population of towns and cities in this
district. It is not much used by the rural popu
-lation.
35. It would not be feasible to prohibit the
use of all the drugs. Ganja and bhang are used
by people who do not use alcoholic stimulants.
The deprivation by any prohibition of the produc
-tion or sale of the drugs would be acutely felt by a
population not accustomed to use opium or alcohol.
It would be very difficult to check the use of the
drug, which is not so baneful as alcohol. Any
serious restriction on the production or sale would
lead to illicit consumption, and much discontent
among consumers would arise from a prohibition.
I am not prepared to say that the discontent
would amount to a political danger; but the ex
- p e r i m e n t i s n o t c a l l e d f o r w i t h t h e p r e s e n t l i m i t e d
use of the drug by only a small proportion of the
population, and by certain classes of people who do
not use alcohol. I am not prepared to say if ganja
and bhang consumers would resort to the use of
alcoholic stimulants or other narcotic drugs if
deprived of ganja and bhang, as consumers of
these drugs do not use alcohol or opium as a rule.
The cultivation of the plant could, however, be
restricted under a system of licenses.
36. I have no reason to think that alcohol is
being substituted for any of these drugs. Alcohol
is in disrepute, as far as is known, with the classes
who use ganja.
37. Charas smoking does not prevail in this
district to an extent sufficient to furnish a basis
for comparing its effects with those of ganja
smoking. I however learn that charas is much
stronger than ganja in its effects.
38. Round ganja is not available in this part of
the country. Flat ganja only is used for smok
- i n g , a n d s o m e t i m e s
the "chur" is a mix
- t u r e o f l e a v e s a n d b i t s o f f l o w e r s d e t a c h e d f r o m
ganja, and as such is weaker than ganja. The
effects are in degree, not in kind. Ganja pro
-duces greater intoxication than bhang.
39. I do not regard smoking of any of the
hemp plant drugs as less injurious than drinking
or eating the same. Ganja smoking is more in
-toxicating than eating the confections made from
it . The reason is that in smoking a much
l a r g e r q u a n t i t y o f g a n j a i s u s e d p r o p o r t i o n a t e l y t h a n i n
manufacturing the sweetmeats or confections of
ganja. The latter, moreover, are mixed with ghi
and other ingredients which reduce the strength
of the narcotic. For the same reason and because
bhang is much milder than ganja, the beverage
prepared from it is also much less powerful than
ganja smoking.
40. Ganja is said to be prescribed on account of
its medicinal qualities by native, as also by
European, medical practitioners. The drugs are
also used in the treatment of cattle diseases (vide
replies from Rao Bahadur, Assistant Surgeon (re
-tired), Vishram Ramjee Gholley, Assistant Sur
-geon Bhikaji Amrit Chobhe, and Dr. Ganesh
Krishna Garde, appended).
41. The moderate use of ganja and bhang is
considered by Rao Bahadur Dr. Vishram Ramjee
Gholley, Dr. Ganesh Krishna Garde and Dr.
Bhikaji Amrit Chobhe as beneficial in their effects.
But they do not regard the habitual use as bene
-ficial. It is thus the occasional moderate use that
they speak of.
(a ) Ganja stimulates appetite for food and
aids digestion to some extent.
(b) It gives staying-power under sever
e ex-ertion and alleviates fatigue.
(c) It is not regarded as a febrifuge or pre
-ventive of disease in malarious and unhealthy
tracts.
I am not in a position to make a reply to clause
(d).
The poorer classes of Hindus and Muham
-madans who are not within ready reach of medi
-cinal preparations, use these drugs occasionally for
exciting appetite or assisting digestion. Habitual
consumers do not use them for such purposes.
Bairagis, sadhus and fakirs, who travel long dis
-tances on pilgrimages, use the drugs habitually in
order to obtain staying-power under exposure and
to alleviate fatigue. Workmen and labourers
also use the drugs to enable them to bear hard
work better (vide opinions of Rao Bahadur Assist
-ant Surgeon Vishram Ramjee Gholley, Assistant
Surgeon Bhikaji Amrit Chobhe and Dr. Ganesh
Krishna Garde, all Graduates in Medicine,
appended).
42. I am not prepared to make a reply.
43. Moderate consumers of the drugs are found
to be perfectly inoffensive to their neighbours.
During a long official career, of which nearly
thirty years have been passed as a Magistrate, I
have not met with a single case of intoxication in
the streets from ganja or bhang, or a prosecution
for disorderly behaviour in public from intoxica
-tion from these drugs.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use
of any of the drugs on the habitual consumer is
to produce slight exhilaration and pleasant sensa
-tions. It is refreshing. It does not allay hunger,
but creates it. The effects last for about an hour.
There are no after-effects of the moderate use of
the drugs. The want of subsequent gratification
produces longing for it.
45. The habitual moderate use of any of the
drugs produces noxious effects, physical especially.
Ganja smoking especially has bad effects. It
weakens the constitution and emaciates the body.
Its continued use impairs the digestion, though
the first use of it excites appetite. It produces
an obstinate cough, which results in bronchitis or
asthma in old age. The moderate use does not
cause dysentery. Its excessive use causes bodily
infirmity. Indolent habits are induced by the
habitual use of the drug, however moderate. I
do not think the mental faculties are generally
affected by moderate use, although in some in
-stances men are overcome by the smoking of the
drug and temporarily get out of their mind.
Insanity, it is said, does not follow the moderate
habitual use of the drug. Bhang drinking is said
not to be baneful and not to be attended with any
of the effects stated above.
46. The habitual excessive use of any of the
drugs produces noxious effects and in an aggrava
-ted form. The constitution is completely im
-paired, resulting in emaciation of the body. The
excessive ganja smoker is a deplorable object,
troubled with nausea and headache, and presenting
the appearance of extreme general debility. He
has an anæmic appearance, always sickly and fretful.
The digestion is affected; there is loss of appetite;
dysentery, bronchitis or asthma results. The
moral sense is impaired and habits of indolence
supervene. The sexual passions are excited
oftentimes, leading to excessive debauchery. The
excessive use deadens the intellect and frequently
produces insanity, first melancholia followed by
dementia, which is the common form of insanity