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orders should be issued that no drugs should be
sold at higher or lower rates than the rates fixed.
(5) In consequence of the uniform rates every-
where, no drugs will be illicitly imported and
exported.
(6) On account of low rates, there will be no
illicit growth of the hemp plant.
(7) On account of cheap rates, the poor pur-
chasers would be relieved of their present troubles
and grievance.
(8) On account of there being many licensees in
the whole district, no complaints of the insuffi-
ciency of the stock of any of the drugs will likely
be made by District Officers.
(9) The rich and the poor will have equal
treatment.
(10) The evils, which are the results of the
transfer of the farm to another at the end of the
year, will disappear.
64. The quantity covered by a permit should be
transported all at one time, and not in instalments
and if the whole of the quantity covered by suet
a pass is not procurable and after the portion
procurable is transported, the permit covering the
quantity should expire, for the transport of the
quantity covered by a permit in instalments give,
many opportunities of committing crime.
65. In my opinion the taxation of ganja, charas
and bhang is unreasonable, both with reference to
(a) one another, and (b ) to country liquor a
n d o
p i u m .
Per seer.
R a. p.
1. Country liquor, manufac-
ture expenses
0 6 0
Selling price (including
royalty) i.e., the selling
price including royalty
is four times its cost
price
1 8 0
2. Opium, original cost about
6 0 0
Selling price, i.e., the sell-
ing
price including
royalty is a little more
than four times its cost
price
25 0 0
3. Bhang, original cost
0 2 0
Selling price including
royalty, etc., i.e., the
selling price is thirteen
times the cost price
1 10 0
4. Ganja, original cost, etc.
0 6 0
Selling price, i.e., the sell-
ing price is twenty times
the cost price
10 0 0
5. Charas, original cost, etc.
2 0 0
Selling price, i.e., the sell-
ing price is fifteen times
the cost price
30 0 0
The rates which are reasonable in my opinion
have been given in the answer to question 63, and
will be found to correspond with the present rates
of opium and country liquor.
66. Only one kind of ganja is used in Sind,
therefore the question cannot be answered.
67. I have objections, but I am not in posses-
sion of sufficient information.
68. There are no such shops.
69. The wishes of the people are not consulted,
but they should be consulted and considered.
70. Ganja is illicitly imported from Cutch, but
the smugglers, if apprehended, are punished.
General Remarks.— Another preparation from
the hemp plant is majum : about a pound of bhang
is boiled in five or six seers of water ; half a pound
of ghee is also put in it. When the water after
boiling is reduced to a pound, i.e., as much as
bhang, it is mixed with sugar, and made into
majum. Other ingredients are also put, i.e.—pop-
py pods, cardamom and saffron. This majum is
sold at one anna per tola or even at much higher
rate.
It is requested that in suggesting a new system
of farming out these drugs and other improve-
ments therein to Government, the Commission
would be pleased to consider the following points
which I herewith submit :
—
(1) The use of ganja and charas should be put
a stop to at once, because the smokers of ganja
and charas are by this habit at once reduced to
misery and penury.
(2) They are not used on any social or religious
customs.
(3) None of them is useful or beneficial in any
way.
(4) They produce many physical diseases, as
asthma, piles, cough, jaundice, impotence, and
many other various diseases.
(5) Both of these produce intoxication at once,
which produces unconsciousness, and there is every
likelihood of the smoker being plundered.
(6) They are never used in the treatment of any
disease.
(7) Both lead to crime.
(8) By foregoing these, no smoker would resort
to other narcotics, liquor, etc.
(9) People use them as a luxury, and do get a
temporary pleasure, but are much harassed by their
after-effects.
(10) Sons of rich men sometimes get into the
habit, and I have seen many of them who after-
wards became beggars. What could then be the
condition of the poor ?
For the above reasons I am of opinion that
ganja and charas should be put a stop to at once.
No deaths will result from foregoing their use, and
there is no danger to Government at all.
As for bhang, it should not be prohibited. It is
used both on religious and social gatherings. The
only improvement to be made is that uniform and
cheap rates should be introduced everywhere, in
which case, the rich and the poor, the high and
the low, will be equally treated. There is every
likelihood that crime would disappear. Illicit
growth will cease. The evils of illicit growth are
that abkari laws are broken, the produce is illicitly
sold or given to others, that it is illicitly consum-
ed, and that those who get it for nothing or on
payment of a nominal sum, consume it in excess,
and thus intoxication increases. All these evils
will be stopped.
Besides, the whole zillah should not be farmed
out to one man, because the hemp cultivation will
not be properly watched over. But if the farm is
sold by talukas, or licenses are given, the illicit
growth would be strictly watched over and will
ultimately stop.
Uses and benefits of bhang
( 1 )
It is used on religious or social customs.
( 2 )
T h e i n t o x i c a t i o n t a k e s e f f e c t g r a d u a l l y , a n d
therefore will not be dreadful,