272 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. XIV.
systematically examined, the first question for the Commission to decide is whe-
ther such justification is to be found in the evidence before them, and the second
whether, if this is so, prohibition is feasible and advisable on other grounds.
These will now be considered.
Prohibition of bhang.
564 The effects of the hemp drugs have been treated in Chapters X to XIII
of the Report; and as the first result of these conclu-
sions, the Commission are prepared to state that the
suppression of the use of bhang would be totally unjustifiable. It is established to
their satisfaction that this use is very ancient, and that it has some religious sanc-
tion among a large body of Hindus; that it enters into their social customs; that
it is almost without exception harmless in moderation, and perhaps in some cases
beneficial; that the abuse of it is not so harmful as the abuse of alcohol; that its
suppression, involving the extirpation of the wild hemp plant, would in some tracts
be a matter of great difficulty; that such a measure would be extremely unpopular,
and would give rise to widespread discontent; and, finally, that, if successfully
accomplished, it would lead to the use of more hurtful stimulants. The Com-
mission deem it unnecessary to traverse the evidence further than has been done
in the preceding chapters of this report in support of these propositions. It is
almost unanimous in regard to them. The utmost that is necessary in regard to
this product is that it should be brought under more effective control, and this
matter will be dealt with further on. But absolute prohibition is, in the opinion
of the Commission, entirely out of the question.
Prohibition of ganja and charas.
565. Though it has been shown that as a rule ganja and charas are used in
moderation, and that the moderate use ordinarily
does not cause appreciable injury, yet it has been
established that the excessive use of these forms of hemp drugs has been more
injurious than in the case of bhang. Whether they should be prohibited or
merely controlled is a question which might be settled merely with reference
to their ascertained effects. The Commission consider that the effects are not
such as to call for prohibition, and on the general principles discussed in the open-
ing paragraphs of this chapter, such interference would be unjustifiable. Never-
theless, it seems advisable to refer to the other evidence with a view to
ascertaining the generally prevailing views on the subject, and considering the
grounds on which prohibition is advocated or opposed.
The evidence regarding prohibi-
tion of ganja and charas may be
considered together.
566. In reviewing the evidence on these points, it will not be necessary to
draw a distinction between ganja and charas. The
effects of these two drugs have been shown to be
similar, though charas is cœteris paribus the more
potent. They are both ordinarily smoked, though very occasionally used for
eating and drinking usually in the form of admixtures with other condiments. As
stated by Mr. Lyall (Bengal 1): "Ganja and charas are really one, and in
time, if the question be scientifically followed up, possibly charas will be the
only form used." The refuse of ganja is used in some provinces as bhang, but
this substance more nearly resembles bhang than ganja properly so called. The
ganja of the different provinces varies in quality. But these distinctions cannot
here be specially observed; it will be sufficient to bear in mind that the opinions in
Bengal, the Central Provinces, Madras, Bombay, and the smaller Administrations
relate to ganja; that those in the Punjab relate to charas; and that those in the