184 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. X.
the drug is probably weaker from deterioration. So that opinion in these prov-
inces is probably entitled to more weight than elsewhere. On the whole, then,
there is apparently a more unfavourable opinion of charas than of the other forms
of hemp drugs.
Ganja.
475. In regard to ganja, opinion is about seven to five in favour of the moder-
ate use being harmless. In every province, except
the North-Western Provinces and Sind, the majority
take this view. In Sind the drug is known to but few witnesses, and a large pro-
portion of these few fail to discriminate between the moderate and excessive use.
In the North-Western Provinces the drug is well known, and the witnesses are
divided as three to two against the drug—almost, indeed, in the same ratio as in
regard to charas. Here, however, a careful examination of the papers shows that
at least one-fifth of these witnesses against ganja have not discriminated between
the moderate and excessive use. In other provinces the majority believe the
moderate use of ganja to be harmless. In Bengal, where the drug is best known
and most carefully cultivated, this majority is about two to one.
Bhang.
476. Bhang is regarded with more general favour than other preparations of
hemp. The witnesses who declare it harmless are
nearly as three to one as compared with those who
think otherwise. This majority is found in pretty nearly this ratio in all provinces.
This may, therefore, be accepted as the prevailing opinion.
Silent witnesses.
477. There is a large number of witnesses who either do not know enough,
or do not feel strongly enough, regarding the effects
to say anything about them. There is also a large
proportion of the other witnesses who declare the moderate use of the drugs to be
harmless. Finally, there is manifestly a tendency in many of the witnesses against
the drug to base their unfavourable opinion on their experience of excessive con-
sumption. In view of all this, there can be little doubt that there is a
very large amount of moderate consumption of all these drugs, the evil
effects of which are inappreciable, even if this moderate consumption is
not quite harmless. There is a good deal of justification of the failure of many
witnesses to discriminate between moderate and excessive consumption.
That which is moderate and harmless to one man may be too much for
another. And the moderate habit may undoubtedly develop into excess in some
cases where excess might not have been looked for. It is so with all intoxicants;
but moderation and excess ought to be distinguished. And on the whole the
weight of evidence is to the effect that moderation in the use of hemp drugs is not
injurious.
Formation of the habit.
478. The great majority of the witnesses are of opinion that the habit of con-
suming these drugs is easily formed. As a rule these
witnesses speak from experience of consumption
among the upper and middle classes. There is no doubt that there are some
difficulties in the way of a lad learning the habit apart from the deterrent
opinion (where it exists) of parents or of society. It is necessary to know
how to prepare the drug, though most of the methods of preparation when
learned are simple enough. This fact, together with the force of example,
explains the very general statement that the habit is acquired in the com-