87
solitude. Majum, yakuti, etc., are, on the other
hand, consumed more in solitude than in company.
Yes, the use of these drugs is mainly confined to
the male sex and to the mature age. No, child
-
dren are not found to indulge in these drugs.
31. The habit is not easily formed ; but, once
formed, it is certainly difficult to break off. Like
other intoxicants, these drugs have also a ten
-
dency to develop a moderate habit into an exces
-
sive one. Among bairagis and others who form
the largest class of ganja smokers this tendency
is, however, kept in check by the difficulty which
they find in obtaining the money sufficient to buy
the required quantity of ganja.
32. I am not aware of any such custom pre
-
vailing in this part of the presidency. It is some
-
times said that at Shiva puja (or the worship of
the god Shiva) ghota drink is necessary. But
this is not a fact. Habitual ghota drinkers pre
-
pare the drink at such puja for themselves, and
offer it to a new man who may happen to be in
their company as a mere matter of courtesy, en
-
tirely leaving it to himself to take a small quantity
if he chooses to do so.
I remember, however, it to have been stated to
me that it is a custom among the persons of the
ascetic class to initiate a new man to ganja-smok
-
ing before he can be formally admitted to their
class as a regular disciple. Once introduced to
smoking in this way, he gradually falls into the
habit, and in time becomes a thorough ganja
smoker.
33. Consumption of ganja and bhang in any form
is regarded as a vice, and looked upon as a practice
unworthy of society. The public would not ob
-
ject to the use of these drugs on religious grounds ;
b u t o n s o c i a l g r o u n d s i t w o u l d b e h e l d i n g r e a t
disrepute, especially the consumption of g anja and
its preparations. This sentiment is primarily to be
attributed to the possession by these drugs of
intoxicating properties, and to their mischievous
effects on body and mind. The use of intoxicants
is regarded with contempt by every society; and
the Indians, who, under the warm climate of
their country, can altogether dispense with
such use, would naturally look upon it as one
of the worst type of indulgence. The fact that
the number of the ganja consumers is proportion
-
ately very small has something to do with this
sentiment. No narcotic or stimulant would fall
in disrepute if it is indulged in by a whole na
-
tion. Were, therefore, all the Indians, or at
least a large majority, users of this narcotic, its
consumption would not have been regarded with
so much contempt. But, as the number of persons
indulging in these drugs is very small, the con
-
sumption is regarded by the non-consuming
population as a bad practice. Ghota drink, not
possessing such strong intoxicating properties, is
not in so much disrepute.
I know of no custom of worshipping the hemp
plant on any occasion.
34. Yes ; it would, I think, be a serious priva
-
tion to all classes of the consumers of these drugs
to forego the consumption of the particular drug
they use. Their habit of using the particular
drug is, by long practice, carried to such a height
that they will not be able, under any circum
-
stances, to break it off soon. Nor will they be
satisfied by the use of any other drug or stimulant
for the one they had been using. If, therefore,
they are prevented from using the particular drug,
there will be serious discontent and uneasiness
among them.
Of the consumers, 60 per cent. are, I think,
gosains, bairagis, mendicants, etc. ; 30 per cent.
artizans, men of handicraft, etc.; 5 per cent.
prostitutes ; and 5 per cent. others.
35. Under the present circumstances it is not,
I think, feasible to stop altogether the use of any
of these drugs. Such a prohibition would un
-
doubtedly encourage illicit consumption, at least
for some time, especially among the mendicant
class, which forms the majority of the ganja.con
-
sumers, and who will not be satisfied by the sub
-
s t i t u t i o n o f a n y o t h e r n a r e o t i c .
Such a prohibition could be enforced either by
recourse to special legislation, making the use of
the narcotic penal, or by preventing the cultivation
and importation of ganja altogether. But such a
serious step would, I think, be quite uncalled for,
and would create serious discontent among the con
-
sumers. I am not prepared to say that it may
amount to a political danger. The whole body of
the consumers, taken together, is so insignificant
in number and wanting in influence that they are
incapable of spreading the infection of their dis
-
content to the general public, so as to stimulate
them to any action amounting to political danger.
I do not think alcoholic stimulants or other in
-
toxicants will be had recourse to in case such a
prohibition is enforced. Such substitutes would
not satisfy ganja consumers of long habit.
36. No, I don't think alcohol is being substi
-
tuted. If there be any decrease in the quantity
of these drugs consumed, it is to be explained by
the fact of the gradual disappearance of the men
-
dicant class rather than by the substitution of
alcohol.
37. Charas-smoking is not known in this part.
38. Flat ganja alone being used, I cannot an
-
swer the question.
39. I am not in a position to answer this ques
-
tion satisfactorily. In practice, however, I have
found that, in the long run, ganja smokers are
more injuriously affected than those that eat or
drink it in some form. The reason, I think, is
that the poison directly enters by inhalation into
the lungs, and is absorbed by, and circulated
through, the system more rapidly, thus producing
more injurious effects.
40. The reply is already given under question
No. 19.
41. I am not in a position to state definitely
whether the moderate use of these drugs may be
beneficial or not. In practice, however, it is used
as a food accessory as well as to give staying-
power. I do not know of ganja or bhang ever
being used as a febrifuge. I refer to moderate
occasional use.
Moderate habitual use.—It is also used to give
staying-power under severe exertion.
Occasional use is not restricted to any classes.
Habitual use—( b ) prevails among persons who
are required to work hard and continuously for a
long time, such as smiths, dooly-bearers, weavers,
toy-makers, etc.
42. I am not in a position to answer.
43. Yes; as far as I know they are perfectly
inoffensive.
44. The immediate effect is to give a pleasant
sensation, stimulation to work, and some appetite.
Yes, it is refreshing. Yes, it produces intoxi
c a -
tion, but not such as to deprive the consumer of
his senses. It does not allay hunger. It creates