170 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94 [CH. X.
from 1/100,000 to 1/5,000 part of the body weight being required to produce certain
physiological effects, while in three samples of Nepal charas doses equal to 1/2,500
part of the body weight were inactive. These startling figures seem to indicate
not only natural deterioration, but also extensive adulteration of charas.
Flat, round, and chur ganja.
454. The evidence recorded regarding the effect of the three preparations of
ganja (round, flat, and chur) shows clearly that
if their effects differ (which is doubtful), the difference
is not in kind, but only in degree. There is no difference whatever in kind, and
the difference in degree is trifling. Round ganja is practically unknown except in
Bengal. There the great majority of the witnesses say that there is no difference
even of degree between round and flat ganja. Only forty-one witnesses draw any
distinction, and these are pretty equally divided. Some, indeed, think that the
manner in which the round ganja is rolled retards deterioration; others that the
close packing of the flat ganja has the same effect. The truth seems to be
that the preference for one or other of these two preparations is purely a matter
of habit and varies in different districts, and that there is little real difference
between the effects of these preparations. This is borne out by the experiments
conducted by Dr. Prain (vide his report on the cultivation of ganja submitted
to the Bengal Government in 1893) and by those of Mr. Hooper, though these
two sets of experiments differ somewhat in result. Dr. Prain gave the average
percentages of resin extracts from Bengal round and flat ganja for the seasons 1889
to 1893 as 22.27 and 22.13 respectively. His specimens had been reduced to
the state of chur. Mr. Hooper found chur to afford 25.90 per cent. of
resin extract compared with 23.8, 22.6, and 21.8 for small flat, large flat, and
round ganja respectively.
In respect to chur the evidence is very much divided and uncertain
in tone. So far as it goes, it tends to show that Bengal is the only province
where chur is regarded as at least as strong as the unbroken ganja. The
explanation of this diversity of opinions is simple. Chur is broken ganja;
and ganja may be broken either purposely or accidentally. In many parts and
by many witnesses chur is regarded as the broken or refuse ganja which
becomes separated in the process of preparation or transport, and which "even
the poor will not buy." A second class of witnesses know chur as the best
parts of the ganja heads, separated carefully from the woody matter or stalks,
and therefore stronger, bulk for bulk, than the ordinary article. A third set
of witnesses point out that before being smoked ganja must bo broken; it must
become chur before being used. These insist, therefore, that there is no
real difference between chur and other ganja. It may be noted, however, that
there seems good ground to believe that chur as packed at present deterio-
rates more rapidly than the unbroken ganja, and is therefore less popular in at
least the more distant markets.
Smoki ng and drinking or eating.
455. The question as to whether the smoking of hemp is more injurious than
drinking or eating the drug is of importance mainly
in connection with the difference between ganja or
charas and bhang. The form in which the question was put by the Commission
raised two comparisons—viz, (0) between the smoking and eating or drinking of
the same preparation, and (b) between smoking one preparation and eating or
drinking another. But unfortunately there has been some confusion in the
answers, some witnesses having manifestly and others presumably overlooked