48
part ; but ganja in a small quantity mixed with
jagri is given to horses sometimes to enable
them to perform long journeys without much
feeling, through intoxication, the effect of fatigue.
41. (a) Those who are habitual moderate consum
- e r s o f g a n j a d o n o t f e e l h u n g e r t i l l t h e y h a v e
smoked it. It cannot be said, however, to be
beneficial in the sense of increasing the appetite or
strengthening digestion. For a few days—say
about a week—in the commencement, the consumer
finds his appetite on the increase; but thereafter
he reverts to the normal quantity of his meals. In
their cases ganja smoking does not assist digestion.
In the case of occasional consumers it assists
digestion, and is smoked with that object after
heavy meals at dinner parties.
(b) Consumers think that ganja smoking helps
them to undergo exertion and fatigue better by its
aid than otherwise they would be ; but those who
have smoked it for some years and given it up
think that it is a mere delusion ; that simply in
consequence of the effects of intoxication fatigue
is for a short time not felt on some occasions.
(c) Ganja is never used as a febrifuge. Bhang
is drunk in fever cases by some persons, though
not a large number, with a view to keep down the
temperature of the body.
(d) To ward off the effects of bad water
- s u p p l y , g a n j a i s c o n s i d e r e d b y a l l s m o k e r s t o b e a
sovereign remedy. Travellers in tracts where the
water-supply is not good use it, according to their
opinion, with beneficial results, as far as the effects
of bad water are concerned.
Persons in well-to-do circumstances belonging
to high castes do not, except in rare cases when
travelling, smoke ganja to counteract the effects of
bad water-supply, and do not also use it with a
view to create appetite or strengthen digestion.
42. Except as mentioned above, the use of ganja
is not in any way beneficial. As far as moderate
use is concerned it is not harmful if of good
quality and well washed and cleansed before
brought into use, provided the consumers are in a
position to get a proper quantity of food and milk
or ghi in a small quantity. To debilitated co
n - s t i t u t i o n s i t p r o v e s i n j u r i o u s a n d g i v e s r i s e t o
bronchitis, asthma, and lung diseases. It affects
the sight also. It is very hot in quality, and
impairs virile powers more or less in all cases, and
specially of those persons who are not able to get
sufficient food. I have come to these conclusions
on a consideration of the constitutions of a good
many ganja smokers whom I have seen from day
to day for a good length of time, as well as on a
consideration of the account I have been able to
collect from others.
43. Yes.
44. The habitual consumers in moderate quan
- t i t y o f g a n j a f e e l h u n g e r s o o n a f t e r t h e y h a v e
smoked it. It produces intoxication, and conse
- q u e n t l y t h e s m o k e r s f e e l t h e m s e l v e s r e f r e s h e d ;
but really speaking such is not the case in its pro
-per sense. Habitual moderate consumers gene
- r a l l y s m o k e i t t h r i c e a d a y ,v
i z . ,
i n t h e m o r n i n g ,
at noon, and in the evening. Except in a few
cases, the effects of the morning chillum lasts till
noon, and of the noon chillum till the evening.
In a few cases the effects do not last for more
than 2 or 2½ hours. If a consumer does not get
his chillum at the proper time, he feels a slight
headache and uneasiness and a longing for it.
45. Please see answer to question No. 42 as
regards the effects of ganja smoking.
In some cases of young persons ganja smoking
for a year or two induces habits of debauchery,
but not to a greater extent than is caused by other
intoxicants. It does not generally induce laziness
or impair the moral sense. Except when taken
excessively ganja smoking does not produce in
-sanity, or, except in a few cases, affect the intellect.
47. No.
49. Yakutis and majums made of bhang and
ganja ghi are used by lustful persons, generally
males, with a view to strengthen the power of
duration in the act of sexual intercourse. Such
use repeatedly tends to weaken the constitution
and impairs, after a time, virile powers.
50. Excessive use of ganja for smoking for a
length of time tends to produce impotence.
51. No instances are known to me in which
ganja smoking or bhang drinking can be connected
with crimes of a general or special character.
Gamblers belonging to lower classes are generally
ganja consumers.
5 2 . P l e a s e s e e a n s w e r t o q u e s t i o n N o . 5 1
53. No such instances have come to my know
ledge.
5 4 . N o s u c h i n s t a n c e s a r e k n o w n .
55. No such instances are known. The con
- s u m e r s t h i n k t h a t , w i t h o u t a d m i x t u r e o f s o m e
other drug, ganja smoking does not produce such
complete stupefaction as to enable criminals to
succeed in their designs on their victims.
6 8 . N o .
69. Generally not. The use of bhang and
ganja in these parts is so very small that it seems
to be a matter of no consideration whether local
public opinion is consulted or not.
27. Evidence of RAO BAHADUR BHASKAR RAO RAMCHANDRA HEBLIKAR, Brahmin,
Depu ty Collector, Sholapur.
1. I had to examine in my official capacity
several shops selling bhang or ganja, and used to
make enquiries for the purposes of my administra
- t i o n r e p o r t s . I h a v e a l s o m a d e i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o
the facts of the case, specially now as directed by
Government.
2. They may be accepted. They are locally
known as (1) ganja, (2) bhang, and (3) charas.
3. In no district of which I have acquaintance
does the hemp plant grow spontaneously.
4. I know of one name (ganja) by which the
plant is called.
5 and 6. I have no information about wild
hemp, as it does not grow in any of the districts
of which I have knowledge.