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the lower classes, as, for instance, labourers,
bairagis, sadhus, fakirs, etc., to the extent of
6 per cent. It is mainly confined to the male
sex. It is not usual for children to consume any
of these drugs, but as medicine it is sometimes
given to them in particular diseases.
31. The habit of consuming any of these drugs
is not easily formed. It is formed by company
of persons who are solely given to these drugs.
It is not very difficult to break off to the moderate
users of it, and it has a tendency for the moderate
habit to develop into the excessive. But the
excessive cannot break off the habit.
32. The consumption of any of these drugs is
regarded as religious by ascetics and bairagis,
who say that by the use of any of these drugs
their sole attention is devoted to the Almighty.
Some of the worshippers of the god Shiva regard
the use of these drugs in a high sense. The use
of these drugs in connection with such custom is
regarded as essential, simply because it is bene
- f i c i a l t o h e a l t h w h e n t e m p e r a t e l y u s e d . N o d o u b t
it leads to the formation of the habit, and is not
injurious if properly used. The social position
of a man addicted to the use of these drugs is
not much lowered in the eyes of his co-religionists
as that of a man given to alcohol. I am not
aware of any other, either social or religious
customs in regard to the consumption of these
drugs, with the exception of the one mentioned
by me above, as regards the liking of it by the
god Shiva.
33. The consumption of each of these drugs is
generally regarded as a low thing, but morally
viewed the use is not condemned. Persons using
these drugs are not held irreligious. The use of
smoking is generally in disrepute. The disrepute
is attributable to its intoxicating influence under
which the user of it some time remains. There
is not a custom of worshipping the hemp plant in
this district on any occasion by any sects of the
people. Before the hemp plant is harvested, it
is worshipped like other agricultural produce by
the cultivators of it. The object in so doing is
nothing but to seek the assistance of the agricul
-tural goddess in procuring eligible sale proceeds
of the ganja.
34. It would be a serious hardship to the
consumers of these drugs, if their consumption
be stopped. As these drugs beguile the tedious
- n e s s o r
f a t i g u e
of their labour and can be obtain
- e d a t a c h e a p r a t e , a n d a s t h e y h a v e i n t h e m a
quality of making a man forget for a while all
worldly cares and anxieties, they are chiefly
used by labouring classes. The prohibition of its
use would not be liked by 75 per cent. of the
consumers.
35. It would not be feasible to prohibit the use
of any of these drugs. The drug would be con
- s u m e d i l l i c i t l y . I f t h e c u l t i v a t i o n o f t h e h e m p
plant be totally discontinued, the prohibition
can be easily enforced, but thereby the agricul
- t u r i s t s w o u l d
s u f f e r m u c h , b e c a u s e t h e c u l t i v a t i o n
of ganja improves the quality of the soil. The
prohibition of any of these drugs would un
- d o u b t e d l y o c c a s i o n a s e r i o u s d i s c o n t e n t a m o n g s t
the consumers generally. Such discontent, in
my opinion, would not amount to a political
danger. The prohibition would be followed by
recourse to alcoholic stimulants or other drugs,
which will depend upon the means of the con
- s u m e r ; b u t i t i s a w o r k o f t i m e , b e c a u s e t h e
native drugs to which they are easily accustomed
can be had at a smaller price than any
a l c o h o l i c s t i m u l a n t s .
36. It cannot be stated that alcohol is now
being substituted for any of these drugs. It
chiefly depends upon the choice of the people
using them. Some people use alcohol and some
these drugs, but for these drugs alcohol is not
preferred, as the latter is more expensive than
the former, and is regarded irreligious by parti
- c u l a r c l a s s e s o f p e o p l e .
37. Charas has more intoxicating effect than
ganja, being the essence of the plant. It is
used in smoking simply by adding gudakhu,
while ganja is first perfectly cleaned and washed
with water, and by mixing gudakhu to the so
- c l e a n e d g a n j a i t i s u s e d f o r s m o k i n g . T h e l a t t e r
is easily procurable at the shops, but the former
cannot be had in shops, but it is used by culti
- v a t o r s w h i l e h a r v e s t i n g .
38. Round ganja is not prepared in this district.
Flat ganja has more intoxicating effect on con
-sumers than chur. Chur is nothing but a powder
- l i k e s u b s t a n c e t h a t r e m a i n s a t t h e b o t t o m o f t h e
ganja prepared and collected. Chur is sometimes
used for smoking, while ganja is used for various
preparations.
39. The smoking of any preparation of the
hemp plant is more injurious than drinking or
eating the same or any other preparation, because
the excessive use in smoking is hurtful. It
affects the lungs and chest, produces cough and
excessive heat in the body, and dries up blood
in the system. While in drinking and eating
it has a beneficial effect on the constitution, in
- a s m u c h a s i t c o o l s t h e s y s t e m , a n d i t i s c o n s u m e d
even by more advanced classes in the hot season.
40. Native doctors prescribe the use of these
drugs for medicinal qualities on most diseases.
They are also used in the treatment of cattle and
all kinds of animal diseases. It is given to cattle
and horses to encourage their eating more. Being
under the influence of it, they go on chewing
their food and run faster.
41. The moderate use of ganja, bhang, or
charas is beneficial in its effects.
(a) It has a di gest i ve power.
(b) It gives staying power under severe exer
-tion and alleviates fatigue.
(c) It destroys the bad effects resulting from
bad water in malarious and unhealthy tracts.
The tendency of the people in using the drug
is mainly to secure the effects stated above. The
reference is applicable to the moderate habitual
users as well as to the moderate occasional users,
but in the case of the latter the effects are prompt
and quick.
42. The moderate use of these drugs is harmless
and is beneficial, because it has got the quality of
exciting appetite and a digestive power. It has
an astringent taste, and gives refreshing sleep in
order to enable the user of it to overcome the
effects of fatigue.
43. The moderate consumers are inoffensive to
their neighbours, because when the drug is taken,
it stupefies the user of it for two or three hours
at least; and while under its influence he is un
- a b l e t o d o a n y h a r m t o h i s n e i g h b o u r s .
44. Habitual consumers do not get any intoxi
- c a t i n g e f f e c t b y a m o d e r a t e u s e o f a n y o f t h e s e
drugs. It is refreshing in a less degree. It does
not produce intoxication at all. It does not allay
hunger, but excites it. It creates appetite. The
effect lasts for a few hours. As to after-effects
there are practically none. The want of subse-