256 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. XIII.
violence or other unpremeditated offences against the person. These two classes
of cases should be carefully distinguished and treated separately.
Bad characters.
543. The first question then is whether any large proportion of bad characters
are habitual consumers of hemp drugs, and whether
there is any general connection between such con-
sumption and crime. About one-half of the witnesses have dealt with this ques-
tion. Of these, a majority of two to one hold that no large proportion of bad char-
acters are moderate consumers. A majority, but not quite so large, have the
same opinion regarding excessive consumers. In respect to the second part of
the question, a majority of eight to one hnld that moderate consumption of
these drugs has no connection with crime in general or with crimes of any
particular character. A majority of nearly four to one hold the same view in
regard to excessive consumption. There is one witness who makes rather a
suggestive observation in this connection. He says that consumers "are called
badmashes for this reason only, that our children may fear them and avoid their
company." This undoubtedly suggests an explanation of some part of the
popular condemnation of the drugs. A very large proportion of the natives of
this country have a strong aversion to the use of intoxicants, and may reasonably
be expected to influence their children against them in precisely this way. This
may lead some witnesses to take an exaggerated view of the number of bad
characters who are consumers. But there need be no hesitation in accepting the
view that this number is indeed larger in proportion than the number of consumers
among the general population. Consumers of hemp drugs are found more
among the lower orders, among the poor, than among the more wealthy. The
former are, of course, the classes to which the badmashes or bad characters
belong. This is the explanation given by many witnesses of the alleged fact that
proportionately more consumers of hemp drugs, and especially ganja smokers, are
to be found among bad characters than among the whole population. But the
general opinion is that hemp drugs have per se no necessary connection with
crime. It is true that some witnesses assert that habitual consumers sometimes
spend more than their poverty renders reasonably possible, and are then tempt-
ed to commit petty thefts. And there are probably many Magistrates of
experience who have in "bad livelihood cases" heard the police enlarge on the
amount believed to be spent on hemp drugs and other intoxicants and the appa-
rent impossibility of meeting this expenditure honestly. The same is true, how-
ever, of any unwise expenditure beyond what one can afford, and of any extra-
vagance which intensifies poverty.
Do criminals fortify themselves
with these drugs?
544. Another question which arises in reference to the connection between
hemp drugs and crime is whether these drugs are to
any considerable extent taken by criminals to fortify
themselves to commit premeditated crime of any
kind. About one-half of the witnesses speak on this point. Of these a majority
of nine to four answer in the negative. The truth seems to be that as hemp
drugs help the consumer to endure great fatigue or exposure and stimulate him
to unwonted exertion, criminals, like any other consumers of these drugs, go to
them for that assistance when they feel that they require it. This is just as any
man under similar circumstances might go to the intoxicant he was in the
habit of using. Sometimes, no doubt, also a criminal may take his own particular