118
to be warmed up before use. Ganja and bhang in
course of time get dried up and crumble to dust.
19. Yes, but ganja can be either eaten or drunk
as already explained.
20. People of all castes smoke ganja. Opium
eaters chiefly indulge in charas smoking and
foreigners, up-country men.
21. The flat or trodden kind is the only one
known in this district. Ganja dust or bhusa
used to be thrown away as useless, but it is now
exported to Europe. It is also occasionally taken
in place of bhang, being milder in its effects.
2 3 . N o .
24. Bhang not eaten as a rule, except when
made into sweetmeats.
Marwadis chiefly, but also Pardesis, Bhatias,
Gugan, and bairagis indulge in bhang-drinking.
25. It is difficult to say, but probably the use of
these drugs is not on the increase. The use of
alcohol is gradually spreading among the classes
that would be disposed to indulge in these intoxi
-
cants. Bhang-drinking only may possibly be on
the increase, if anything.
26. As regards ganja and bhang, one chatak of
the drug per diem is considered moderate, two
chataks excessive. At this estimate probably 20
per cent. are moderate and 10 per cent. excessive
consumers. The rest probably do not take either,
or only so occasionally that no distinction can
be drawn between them and non-consumers.
27. Gosains and bairagis are the chief con
-
sumers of both ganja and bhang. Muhammadans,
fakirs chiefly for ganja only, Marwadis bhang only.
Force of example leads to the practice.
28. (a) One chatak, costing one to two annas.
(b) Two chataks, costing two to four annas.
29. Vide answer to question 15. Dhatura is not
used. The object of the admixtures is to make
the drug palatable and to strengthen its effect.
Bhang massala consists of kuskus, almonds, black
pepper, rose petals, etc. No separate preparation
kept ready made.
30. Children never indulge ; women rarely
except the prostitute class. Ganja smoking chiefly
c o n f i n e d t o p r o s t i t u t e s a n d t h e l o w e r c l a s s e s , b o t h
in solitude and in company. bhang drinking
common to all classes. Marwadi women some-
times drink bhang. Respectable women take
neither bhang nor ganja.
31. Easily formed, but not so easily given
up. Like tobacco smoking, it develops from the
moderate into the excessive in course of time. Can
be given up like smoking, but would be felt more
severely.
32. Bhang drinking is indulged in at Marwadi
marriages. Sometimes Brahmins at dinner parties
and other convivial occasions take it with gram
fried in ghee. It is not an essential part of the
ceremony or feast in either case. It is taken in
moderation, and is neither injurious nor calculated
to develop a habit in this way.
33. Both ganja smoking and bhang drinking
are looked down upon if habitually indulged in.
They give a man a bad name. Bhangili or gotebaz
and ganjedi or ganjebaz are terms of reproach for
those who habitually indulge. Habitual takers,
if otherwise respectable men, are ashamed to admit
their failing. There is no religious objection to
the drug in either form. The hemp plant is not
worshipped.
35. It would be feasible to prohibit, but not to
entirely stop the use of these drugs. They would
assuredly be consumed illicitly. Prohibition could
not be thoroughly enforced, and would certainly
cause discontent, which would amount to a serious
embarrassment, if not a political danger. If for
-
bidden in any shape or form, recourse would be
had undoubtedly to alcohol, and also to opium.
37. Charas smoking is said to be stronger and
more injurious than ganja smoking. Produces
headache. Ganja is said not to.
38. None but flat ganja known in this district.
39. Ganja smoking takes effect at once, and is
said to be a more injurious form of taking the
drug than either eating or drinking it. Bhang is
always drunk. In this form not so strong as when
eaten. Is taken more as a refreshing beverage,
and chiefly in the hot weather.
40. Both ganja and bhang are said to be recom
-
mended by native doctors for diarrhœa, dysentery,
and piles. It is not known to be used in the
treatment of cattle disease.
41. (a ) and (b) Yes.
43. Yes.
44. Vide answer to question 41. Both ganja
and bhang produce intoxication if too freely taken.
Their consumption in moderation does no harm,
and is supposed to increase the appetite. Effects
of bhang drinking last four or five hours, unless
taken in excess. Effects of ganja smoking last an
hour or two. Of eating and drinking, some four or
five hours. The appetite for these drugs has to be
periodically gratified, or longing and, to habitual
excessives, even uneasiness would ensue.
47. No.
48. Apparently has some effect on the progeny.
Father of fourteen and an habitual excessive smoker
here has only three children living. Looks a very
emaciated specimen himself.
49. Prostitutes are said to use ganja and bhang
as aphrodisiacs, but this is doubtful. Majum and
yakuti (sweetmeats containing ganja and bhang)
mostly taken by this class. They are commonly
believed to produce impotence if indulged in
t o e x c e s s . B a i r a g i s a r e s u p p o s e d t o t a k e t h e s e d r u g s
freely to kill the desire for sexual intercourse, but
this use of the drugs is extremely doubtful.
Moderate use of the drugs causes no apparently
noxious effects, though the excessive use does in
the course of time.
51. It is generally found that bad characters
are either habitual or moderate consumers of bhang
and ganja. Taken, as bad characters are, from
the lower orders who are the most likely to in
-
ulge in these drugs, this is only natural. The
moderate use of the drugs leads to abusive and
quarrelsome conduct.
52. Indulgence in these drugs (ganja and bhang)
would, in the case of a novice make him too in-
toxicated to commit crime. A moderate but habi
-tual consumer would, if he were to indulge to ex-
cess, probably rave and become excited, and would
b e
r e a d y t o c o m m i t a n y c r i m e o f v i o l e n c e t h a t
first came into his head. If he had a particular
grudge against any one, it would quicken his
i m -
pulse and determination to commit some act of
violence against that person.
The excessive use of the drugs to an habitual
excessive consumer would in the end cause idiotcy
and insanity.