280 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. XIV.
I can quite believe the moderate occasional use of the drugs may be compara-
tively harmless, but I am not aware that they are commonly used occasionally
and in moderation. They may, however, be so used for all I know."
Mr. Wilson, Deputy Commissioner (14), says that he should like to see
the experiment made in selected districts of prohibiting trade in charas (and
bhang) altogether. As regards charas, he thinks the prohibition would be
feasible, as it is imported, and the discontent would be insignificant.
He
knows of no class, such as labourers, who take the drug in moderation as
an ordinary stimulant. Among fakirs and other excessive consumers, he thinks
the use produces great evils, and that there is no more harmful drug which
they are likely to take to. He does not know anything of the use of dhatura
except its administration as a poison. He thinks sudden prohibition would
be cruel. He would therefore begin by taxation and gradually raise it, leaving
the question of total prohibition to be decided by experience.
The evidence of Arjan Singh, Extra Assistant Commissioner (19), is much
to the same effect, but he states that the use of dhatura is general among the
followers of Siva at the Shivratri in the Dera Ghazi Khan district. He says
it is taken in very small quantities, so that its effect is almost imperceptible.
General Millet (69), formerly District Superintendent of Police, would
like to see all intoxicants prohibited which cannot be proved to be actually
necessary. He thinks gradual prohibition of the hemp drugs feasible, and that
educated, intelligent native public opinion, which to a great extent leads that of
the lower classes, would support prohibition. Discontent at first among the
degraded classes would be inevitable, but there would be no political danger,
though tact and discretion would be needed and calm-minded European officials
at the helm. He fears that recourse to alcohol would be the result.
Shekh Riaz Husain, zamindar (67), thinks that "having regard for the
welfare and good of the people which the British Government has in view, the
prohibition of the hemp drugs (including bhang) is imperatively necessary.
Loyal and intelligent subjects and well-wishers of the country would welcome
the prohibition, though the unscrupulous habitual consumers would indeed dislike
it. But as it would be for the good of the people, it is not hoped that any class
of persons would resent it. The enforcement of the prohibition should be effected
like other new laws and regulations, exceptions being made to some extent in the
case of the existing old habitual consumers, because its sudden stoppage would
cause them serious privation. The discontent resulting would not amount to a
political danger. If it were possible to make charas as expensive as alcohol, that
would be one way of dealing with the subject."
Sardar Sujan Singh, Rai Bahadur, Contractor (59), considers charas as
certainly most injurious, and thinks its use should most certainly be prohibited.
It does no good to anybody. There are not many kahars who take it. Those
who do, go to the bad. He does not know of the use of dhatura as an intoxicant.
The use of madak and chandu is more injurious than charas, and they also should
be prohibited as well as liquor. He would not recommend immediate prohibition,
but would put on such a tax, increasing it gradually, as to make it impossible
for the majority of people to buy them at all.