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ed, and why there is no restriction here, because no
hemp is cultivated for the production of ganja.
I hear that ganja is cultivated in Bombay, Panvel,
and in Cutch. If it were cultivated here it can be
done; but people do not know how to cultivate it.
14. The following products are prepared from
the hemp plant
: —
(a) No ganja is prepared.
(b) No charas is prepared.
( c ) B h a n g i s p r e p a r e d .
Bhang is produced in Khebar and Mehar, taluka
Halla, zilla Hyderabad, and in Bubak, taluka
Sehwan, zilla Karachi, to the extent of about 3,000
maunds.
15. The wild plant does not grow here at all ;
hence I cannot give any particulars regarding
preparations from it for smoking, eating or drink-
ing purposes. As regards the cultivated plant
—
(A) It is not smoked; but ghundi bhang is
often smoked as ganja along with tobacco.
(B) Bhang is not eaten; but awad hut fakirs
powder leaves in their hands and eat them raw.
Majum is also made from bhang. It is first
boiled in water. The water is sifted and mixed
with sugar, after which it dries into a solid mass.
It is then cut into small pieces and sold.
(C) The plant is reaped, dried, and beaten.
The leaves, seeds and stalks are then separated.
Leaves and seeds are used in drinking generally.
16. Bhang is not prepared in houses, but is
prepared where the plant grows. Ganja and
charas are not prepared in this province, only
ghundi ganja is prepared.
17. In this country only bhang is prepared from
the hemp plant, and it is so prepared by those who
cultivate it (Hindus and Muhammadans).
18. All the three drugs deteriorate by keeping.
They lose their effects in time. With ordinary care
these drugs do keep good for two or three years,
after which they lose their intoxicating effects,
notwithstanding all possible care. The causes are
the natural decay of all things produced from
earth. No special means are adopted to prevent
deterioration.
19. Charas and ganja are used only for smoking.
20. In Sind persons of Kor classes and Pathans
smoke them. Besides sanyasis, nangas, suthrias,
kaheris and other fakirs smoke them, and they
belong to low classes of people.
One-fourth of Pathans, half of sanyasis, and
about half of nangas and suthrias. No special
places are appointed for smoking them ; but it is
greatly done in otaras, madhis, tikanas, and
d h a r m - s a l a s ; o c c a s i o n a l l y i n h o u s e s a n d j u n g l e s .
21. Flat ganja is preferred; but poor men some-
times use chur also, for it is cheap. No special
places are used for smoking it.
22. Foreign charas is used. It is imported
from Kandahar, and is called Yarkand charas. It
is first imported into Amritsar, whence it is im-
ported into Sind.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking, but strong
ganja smokers smoke the ghundi at times when
they cannot get ganja ; but I cannot say in what
localities and what classes of persons smoke it, and
they must be very few.
24. Bhang is not ordinarily eaten by any class
vol. vii.
of men in any locality ; but in rare cases it is eaten
by awadhut fakirs; and the proportion of such
eaters cannot be given. But bhang is drunk by
almost all classes of people, except Europeans,
Parsis, and Boras. It is generally in otaras, madhis,
tikanas, and occasionally in houses. About 33
per cent. are bhang drinkers.
25. The use of bhang and charas is increasing;
but the use of ganja is on the decrease. The reason
of the decrease in the consumption of ganja is
that it does not produce instantaneous intoxication.
People have therefore left off ganja and taken to
charas. The use of bhang has increased, because it
is so cooling, and because more is used in company.
26. The proportion of the consumers cannot be
accurately fixed; but the following are the approxi-
mate figures:
—
(a) 90 per cent.
(b) 50 per cent.
(c) 20 per cent.
(d) 10 per cent.
27. The consumers are mainly taken from the
following classes :—
Sanyasis, suthrias, bhagats, machhis (fishmon-
gers), mirbahars, and. kanjars (followers of pros-
titutes), boatmen.
The taking of opium, bad company and debauch-
ery lead to this practice. Sometimes in the
beginning it is taken as a medicine, and then it
grows into a habit.
28. (a ) Bhang 1½ tolas, and cost six pies.
Charas 1½ masa, cost 9 pies.
Ganja 3 masas, and cost six pies.
29. (a ) Tobacco is mixed with charas and ganja.
( b ) Coriander, aniseed, cardamoms, sugar, al-
monds, and occasionally milk are mixed with
bhang. The object of mixing the above things
is to get more pleasure; but nothing is mixed in
bhang which is offered for sale.
30. I cannot say what quantities are consumed
in solitude and what in company. The use of it
is chiefly confined to the male sex. I cannot say
in what time of life it is used. Some boys and
women, too, consume bhang, &c.
31. The habit is easily formed, and it is rather
difficult to break off. The moderate habit develops
into the excessive if the quantity is daily increased.
32. There are social customs in regard to the
consumption of bhang alone. When a party of
Hindu bhagats or sangats assembles bhang is used.
The use is only moderate. It is not likely that
such a custom will lead to the formation of a
habit, or is otherwise injurious. The use is not
considered as essential.
33. The consumption of ganja and charas is
considered to be bad. The public opinion in regard
to the practice is that these two drugs should not
be used at all. I have never seen a respectable man
using either. I think the use of any form of the
narcotics is in disrepute. The smokers present a
wretched and miserly appearance. They grow irri-
table if they cannot get it at their fixed time, , and
are led to commit both sin and offence.
It is publicly known that the use of bhang is
prohibited according to Muhammadan law; but
its use is allowed among Hindus, and it is not
used in excess. Besides Hindus use the bhang as
an offering to Shiva god, for which it is called
Shiva's plant. But I, on my part, think that the
use of bhang too is disreputable, for it is a narcotic.
Very few drinkers would stick to the original
quantity, but a larger number, out of mere luxury,
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