70
cannot altogether give it up. I cannot say there
is any tendency in the ganja itself for the moder
-
ate habit to develop into the excessive. Much
depends upon society.
32. So far as the Hindu community is con
-
cerned, it is difficult to make a distinction between
social and religious customs, as every custom is
attributed to some religious principle. The con
-
sumption of ganja in one form or another is
customary on holidays such as the Shivaratra
or Muharram. In this part of the country pil
-
grimages are held at different places in honour of
Shidanath, the supposed incarnation of Shiva
(one of the Hindu Trinity). Ghota made of ganja
is offered to the deity. On this occasion it is con
-
sidered incumbent on the devotee to take a cup of
ghota himself and give some to his friends, rela
-
tions and followers, as the use of the drug in con
-
nection with the custom is regarded essential.
The use is generally temperate. It is not likely
to lead to the formation of the habit; nor is it
injurious, as the use is only made once a year in
a moderate form.
33. The consumption of ganja is regarded
vicious and disreputable. There exists a strong
public opinion against the use of ganja, as the
person addicted to this kind of intoxication is
not considered respectable in society. I do
think that the use of any form of the narcotic is
held in disrepute, and I attribute the sentiment
to the following reasons:
—
1 s t
. — G e n e r a l l y n a r c o t i c s a r e u s e d b y l o w e r
orders of the people.
2nd.—They are used by criminal classes.
3rd .—The use of the narcotic demoralises the
character of a man and intoxication makes
him act like a beast.
4th.— As the results of the indulgence of the
narcotic are proved pernicious, the habit
is condemned by societies of all countries,
The custom of worshipping the hemp plant is
not known in this part of the country.
34. It would no doubt be a serious privation to
gosains, bairagis, and fakirs to forego the con
-
sumption of ganja which they use every day.
These classes spend their lives in pilgrimages in
different parts of the country and use ganja as
their main support. I do not think that other
such classes as artisans, etc., would feel serious
privation supposing they use the drug moderately.
35. I do not think it feasible to prohibit alto
-
gether the use of all these drugs. The drug
(ganja) will be consumed illicitly. The culti
-
vation of the hemp without permission will have
to be made penal by the law. Such prohibition
is likely to occasion serious discontent among the
consumers, such as gosains, bairagis, and others
of the similar class. So far as this province
(Bombay presidency) is concerned, such discon
-
tent will not amount to a political danger. I
think such prohibition will be followed by recourse
to alcoholic stimulants and other drugs, such as
drinks of sindi or palm juice.
36. I do not think that alcohol is now being
used in place of ganja in this presidency. On
the contrary, I think those who are unable to buy
liquors on account of its enhanced price resort to
ganja. As regards this question, I cannot do
better than give reference to page 236 of Hindu
Materia Nedica by U. C. Dutt, which will show
that alcohol is being substituted for ganja in
Bengal.
40. The Native Doctors, both Hindu and
Muhammadan, use ganja in medicine. It is used
to cure not only the diseases of cattle, but of
horses also.
41. (a ) The moderate use of ganja by smo
k -
i n g i s b e n e f i c i a l i n i t s e f f e c t s a s d i g e s t i v e a n d i t s
use by drinking is said to be a food accessory.
(b) Yes.
(c) It is a popular belief that smoking of
ganja is preventive of disease in, malarious and
unhealthy tracts.
Labouring classes and pilgrims who are required
to travel different parts of the country use ganja
for the above purposes. I refer to moderate
habitual use.
43. Yes.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use of
ganja on the habitual consumer is to rouse his
spirits. The use of ganja is said to be refreshing
to the habitual consumer. It does produce in
-
toxication in moderate consumers; drink prepared
of ganja, that is, ghota, allays hunger. Smoking
creates appetite. The effect of ganja-smoking
lasts for about two hours. I am informed that
the lassitude is the after-effect. The want of
subsequent gratification produces longing or
uneasiness.
51. A large proportion of bad characters, viz.,
bhamtyas (pick-pockets) and kaikadis and other
criminal classes are found to have been habitual
moderate consumers of ganja. The use of ganja
nerves the consumer to commit a crime. Popu
-
larly ganja intoxication is called "Mardani Kaif"
or male intoxication; that is to say, the consumer
while under the influence of ganja acts like a
hero.
52. Those who make the use of ganja to an
excess habitually are sometimes found to have
run amuck; murders are committed by such
persons, but cases of these kinds are of rare occur
-
rence.
54. Yes.
55. Yes; criminals induce their victims to
partake majum (made of ganja) and stupefy them
- s e l v e s .
58. The present system of excise adminis
- t r a t i o n i n t h e B o m b a y p r e s i d e n c y w o r k s g e n e r a l l y
well, but I consider it susceptible of improvement.
in some minor points.
59. The improvement seems necessary in the
minimum quantity of intoxicating drugs allowed
to be sold to one person on any one day, and the
rate at which the drug should be sold in retail.
60. In the Bombay presidency the cultivation
of the ganja-bearing plant is not at all controlled,
as under the present Abkari Act cultivation of
ganja without permission is not an offence under
Bombay Act No. V. of 1878 (vide Queen vs.
Narain wd. Soma, 1883). But the process of
the preparation of ganja is sufficiently controlled,
as no one can prepare it without a license. I do
not think any modification in the rules necessary.
6 1 . C h a r a s i s n o t p r o d u c e d h e r e .
62. Properly speaking, bhang as defined by
Dr. Prain is not produced here, and therefore no
answer to this question is required from me.
63. I see no objection to the system of whole
-
sale vend of ganja. As regards retail sale, I
think 40 tolas, which is the present minimum
quantity allowed by the rules, is too large. If
intoxication is to be checked, the quantity should