307
(3) It aids the powers of digestion.
( 4 )
Moderate use of bhang makes a man medi-
tative and intelligent for the time he is under
its influence.
(5) It aids in the meditation of God and creates
fear of Hari.
(6) The consumer of bhang grows timid, and
never commits any offence under its influence.
(7) It is used as an application in piles and
wounds.
(8) It is used in syphilis, pox and other diseases.
(9) It is used in the treatment of cattle diseases.
(10) Followers of Vishnu (who do not take
liquor) use it on Holi holidays and on other
religious and social gatherings.
(11) The selling of bhang at cheaper rate will
decrease the number of liquor consumers,
who would willingly take to bhang drink.
(12) Bhang is not such a narcotic as to induce
the consumer to commit an offence volun-
tarily. It is taken solely as a beverage and
makes the consumer humble and quiet. The
above are the results of my observation and
experience.
32 . Evidence of AHRUMOL PRITAMDAS, Farmer of Bhang, Charas, Ganja and
Opium, Karachi.
2. Ganja and charas are not produced in Sind,
but bhang is. It is called bhang. There is one
sort called pani and another called ghundi.
4. There are two kinds of bhang; one is called.
kaki, the other is called sale.
5. The wild plant grows wherever there are seeds
on the ground and rain falls on them.
6. Its growth is scattered.
7. Yes, bhang is cultivated in my province. It
is pounded and drunk. Majum is also prepared
from it. It is produced in Shikarpur, at Bubak,
taluka Sehwan, Khebar, zillah Hyderabad, and in
Fattu.
8. It grows in abundance in Bubak, taluka Seh-
wan. It grows to a limited extent in Shikarpur,
and in small quantities in Khebar, zillah Hyder-
bad, and in Fattu.
10. Yes, they are zamindars who cultivate bhang
among other kinds of crops.
13. No ganja is produced in Sind.
14. Nothing else is prepared from bhang in Sind,
except majum.
16. Bhang alone can be prepared from the plant,
wherever it is cultivated, but ganja and charas are
not prepared.
18. All these three drugs deteriorate by keeping
long. The effects are weakened by time. They
can be kept good for twelve months. They deteri-
orate by exposure. No especial measures are taken
to prevent deterioration.
19. Ganja and charas are used for smoking.
20. Hindus, Mussalmans, sanyasis, fakirs, and
Marathas.
21. Round ganja is much preferred.
22.. Charas is imported from Amritsar. I un-
derstand that it is the produce of Yarkand and
Ladak.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking.
25. It is not on the decrease. It keeps sta-
tionary.
29 . Dhatura, is not mixed with bhang, but
other kinds of massala are mixed, such as poppy
seeds, cardamoms, hemp seeds, almonds, sugarcandy,
dried rose leaves and other cooling ingredients.
31. Some persons gradually acquire the habit by
keeping on smoking it occasionally. The habit is
very difficult to break off.
34. It causes inconvenience to many persons to
forego it.
35. It would be difficult to give up any kind of
intoxicating drug.
37. The effects of drinking bhang are not injuri-
ous, but it is injurious to smoke ganja and char as
to excess.
38. Round ganja is more intoxicating, but flat
ganja and " chur " are less intoxicating.
40. Bhang is often used in treating human
diseases and cattle disease.
41. (a) Bhang is used as a digestive.
42. In my opinion moderate consumers will not
be injured.
43. Consumers of ganja, charas and bhang are
inoffensive to their neighbours.
44. Bhang gives an appetite to those who drink
it. Ganja and charas produce heat, and therefore
ganja and charas consumers are healthy and hale.
If they cannot get the drug they will be greatly
inconvenienced.
45. A moderate use of the drugs causes no injury
to consumers.
55. Complete stupefaction cannot be induced by
any of these drugs.
56. The effects of bhang are cooling. If bhang
is drunk mixed with massalas, its intoxicating
effects are considerably weakened. If drunk to
excess, its intoxication can only be counteracted by
the use of pickles and ghee. It is not customary
to mix dhatura with bhang.
57. Ganja and charas are used for smoking.
58. In my opinion the system is working well.
60. Ganja is not produced in Sind.
61. Charas is not made in Sind.
62. When bhang is cultivated over one or two
j irebs, it is cultivated under a license and is under
the control of Government. Occasionally hemp plants
are sown by cultivators in their fields. If Govern-
ment controls this occasional planting and puts a
stop to it, it will do well.
63. I have no objections to the present system.
64. I have no objection to this question.
65. In my opinion the present taxation should
be continued.
66. In my opinion the present system should be
continued.
67. I have no objections.
68. In my opinion the present system should
be continued.
69. In my opinion shops should be opened where
necessary.
70. Those who import larger quantities than
those allowed by law are punished, but no duty is
paid in respect of the drugs.
Vol. vii. 2 T 2