CH. I.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 3
employed for taxing the drug or the cultivation of the plant should be reviewed
with special reference to the comparative incidence of this taxation in differ-
ent parts of India and to the comparative efficacy of the taxation imposed in
restricting consumption, whether by the mere weight of the tax or by the method
and stage of imposition. It is known that the rates vary considerably in different
provinces, but the precise effect of the variations is not fully understood. In
this connection the Commissioners should notice any case in which the proxi-
mity of a Native State affects the production or consumption of the drug in
British territory.
(d) Political discontent, social or
religious usage, and other stimu-
lants or narcotics.
"There are two points connected with the subject-matter of the inquiry
which call for special investigation. The first of
these is the danger lest prohibition, or restrictive
measures of a stringent character, may give rise to
serious discontent, and be resented by the people as an unjustifiable interference
with long-established social customs. In some parts of India the use of hemp
drugs is, it is believed, common among fakirs and ascetics held in veneration by
large classes of the population. In Bengal it has been stated that an infusion of
the leaves of the plant is commonly offered to every guest and member of the
family on the last day of the Durga Puja: it has no ill effects, and its use is
not considered reprehensible in any way. The Governor-General in Council
desires that the Commissioners will endeavour to ascertain to what extent these
and similar customs prevail in Bengal and other parts of India, and how far the
use of hemp drugs forms a part of social, or possibly religious, ceremonial or
observance, and they should, if possible, take the evidence of witnesses drawn from
the classes among whom the use of hemp drugs is chiefly prevalent. The
Commissioners should state their opinion whether the prohibition of the use of
hemp drugs or any restrictive measures which they may deem practicable would
be likely to give rise to political discontent in any parts of India or among any
classes of the population. It is believed that in some parts of the country bhang
is, in a special degree, the poor man's narcotic, and the possible unpopularity of a
measure which would deprive the very poorest of the population of the use of a
narcotic to which they have always been accustomed should not be overlooked.
"Another point to which the attention of the Commissioners should be
directed is the probability or possibility that, if the use of hemp drugs is prohi-
bited, those who would otherwise continue to use them may be driven to have
recourse to alcohol, or to other stimulants or narcotics which may be more dele-
terious.
(e) Recommendations
of the
Commission.
"Finally, the Governor-General in Council requests that the Commis-
sioners, if they should be of opinion that the pro-
hibition of the consumption of any hemp drug should
not, or could not, be enforced, will indicate, for the consideration of the Gov-
ernment of India, any reforms and improvements which their investigations may
lead them to recommend in the existing arrangements of each province for
controlling the cultivation of the hemp plant, and the manufacture, sale, and
taxation of hemp drugs. In framing their recommendations, regard should, of
course, be had to the considerations which have been stated in paragraphs 7 and
8 of this Resolution. Absolute prohibition, or repressive measures of a stringent
nature, may involve inquisitorial proceedings of an unpopular character, and