7
Commission are of opinion that the use of bhang is more or less common everywhere in connection with the social and religious customs of the people. As regards ganja,
they find that there are certain classes in all parts, except the Punjab, who use the drug
in connection with their social and religious observances. The
Commission are also of
opinion in regard to bhang that its use is considered essential in some religious observ-
ances by a large section of the community, and in regard to ganja that those who con-
sider it essential are comparatively
very few. The Commission have little doubt that
interference with the use of hemp in connection with the customs and observances above
referred to would be regarded by the consumers as an interference with long-established
usage and as an encroachment upon their religious liberty. And this feeling
w o u l d , e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e c a s e o f b h a n g , u n d o u b t e d l y b e s h a r e d t o s o m e e x t e n t b y t h e p e o p l e a t
large. Regarding Southern India, the same remarks apply, with this reservation,
that the difference between ganja and bhang as materials for smoking and drinking respect-
ively is much less marked there, and the distinction between the two forms of the drug
is much less clearly recognised, although by the term 'bhang' is generally meant the
drug as used for drinking, and by 'ganja' the drug as used for smoking. '
21. His Excellency in Council is prepared to accept the conclusions of the
Commission upon this point. In this connection the following paragraph from
Raja Soshi Sikareshwar Ray's dissent is worthy of attention:—
" Although I am fully convinced of the injurious effects of ganja and the benefit which
will be derived by its total prohibition, I think I would not be justified in advocating a
sudden prohibition, having regard to the dissatisfaction which it may likely cause to a
class of people known as sanyasis, bairagis, and fakirs, whose facilities for giving
trouble are very great owing to their peculiar position and habits of life. I do not think,
however, that this dissatisfaction of certain classes of people on account of the pro
hibitory measure in itself is likely to cause any se
rious annoyance to Government,
but this, when added to other similar causes of dissatisfaction, might bring about dis
content. It is scarcely necessary to point out the nature of the influence which these
sanyasis and fakirs still exercise over a vast number of people who have not received
E n g l i s h e d u c a t i o n . "
It should, however, be mentioned that the use of hemp drugs in connection
with religious or social observances is confined to Hindus, and in no way affects
the Mohamedans, as the Mohamedan religion condemns such practices (para-
graph 437 of the Report).
IV.— EFFECTS.
22. Turning next to the effects of the use of hemp drugs, the Commission
Effects of the use of hemp drugs.
have divided their report into three heads—
Physical, Mental, and Moral, and they
have prefaced their remarks on these three heads by certain general
observations. The main difficulty in dealing with this subject is the remarkable
want of definite information on matters relating to hemp drugs. The subject has
not hitherto attracted special attention, but it is, nevertheless, very noteworthy
that there should be so very little accurate information available. Vague impres-
sions exist, but they are not founded on close or recorded observation. And
in many cases even professional witnesses, who had given fairly definite answers
to some of the questions circulated by the Commission, turned out, when
subjected to oral examination, to be speaking from general impressions, and not
from facts that had come before them in their professional experience.
23. The Commission justly found upon this an argument that if the effects
of ganja were such, or so common, as they have often been alleged to be, much
more would be known about them. It is impossible to imagine any vagueness
or indefiniteness in the information that would be available to a Commission of
enquiry into the extent and effect of the habit of alcohol consumption in
England; and the fact that so many differing opinions are held, and so little
precise information is generally possessed, with regard to ganja, makes it
e v i d e n t t h a t i t c a n n o t b e t h e c a u s e e i t h e r o f m u c h m i s c h i e f t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l o r o f m u c h
harm to the public.
24. The subject of bhang may be disposed of in a word. It is a harmless and
refreshing drink, used as such, especially during the hot weather, by the best
classes of native society. Even the two members of the Commission who
advocate prohibitory measures with respect to ganja object to interference with
bhang, and even to its being subjected to taxation.
25. As regards the effect of the evidence relating to ganja, there is great
difficulty in distinguishing with any precision when the witnesses are referring