CH. XIV.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 273
North-Western Provinces and Sind relate to ganja and charas, both of which are
consumed.
Supply of ganja and charas in its
relation to prohibition.
567. A few remarks, however, recapitulating the local conditions of ganja and
charas will not be out of place. Charas is practi-
cally a foreign article. Small amounts are imported
from Nepal and Gwalior, but they may be left out of the account. The bulk
comes from Yarkand through the Himalayan passes, or to a much smaller
degree from other parts of Central Asia through the routes on the frontier
of Afghanistan. It would not be a very difficult matter to stop these
imports, though the co-operation of the Kashmir Darbar would be neces-
sary in regard to Yarkand charas. It may, therefore, be accepted that the
supply of charas might be cut off without much difficulty, though, as this article
forms the principal import from Yarkand, the prohibition of charas would paralyse,
if not extinguish, the trade with this country. In regard to ganja, the problem is
more complex. Ganja is regularly cultivated in Bengal, the Central Prov-
inces, Madras, Bombay, and Berar. In Bengal and the Central Provinces, the
cultivation of the hemp plant for its production is under complete control. In
Berar cultivation is only permitted under license. In the other tracts of British
territory it is not directly controlled. Assuming that control is possible in these
tracts, it does not follow that it would be equally possible to prevent cultivation
altogether. Moreover, there still remains a considerable amount of production
in many of the Native States all over India. To induce these States to prohibit
cultivation would be a difficult matter, and, even if this were done, the suppres-
sion of illicit cultivation would offer the most serious difficulties. For, though
ganja of good quality requires some cultivation and tending, the evidence before
the Commission tends to establish the fact that ganja of an inferior kind can
be manufactured from the spontaneous or casual growth which is found near
human habitations and amidst cultivation of other crops in many parts of India.
While, therefore, it cannot be asserted that the task of preventing the manufacture
of ganja is an impossible one, it would certainly at the present time be attended
with considerable difficulty.
Opinions of the witnesses regard-
ing prohibition of ganja and charas.
568. The question addressed to the witnesses regarding the prohibition of
the hemp drugs (No. 35) was so framed as to elicit
in the first place opinions as to the feasibility of such
a measure. The considerations bearing upon the
subject were also set forth in the form of subsidiary questions. The question
whether the witnesses advocated prohibition was not specifically put, but it
is not difficult, comparing the answers to the questions above mentioned with
those relating to other questions, to decide what the opinion of each witness is on
this question. Those who hold decided views have no doubt generally stated
them in some portion of their answers, and at all events ample opportunity of
doing so was afforded them. A larger number of the witnesses have contented
themselves with merely giving an affirmative or negative answer to the
questions on the subject. It is impossible to attach much importance to
such answers. The Commission have abstracted them and considered them,
but they feel bound to give far more weight to the opinions of witnesses whose
replies show that they have formulated an opinion on the desirability of prohibi-
tion. Some account will now be given of these answers.
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