River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
pRgAm-BRInelno CANA.


Inc Suaokiuk OF the Indian Hemp 10 the
Coolies Chief SoIace.
All those who have Welded them
selves TO the fascination of Monte
Cristos have an ineffaeeable recollec-
ton of the wonderful cave scene in
which the guests of Dantes are placed
under the voluptuous influence of has
heesh. Hasheesh is a kind of greenish
jelly made from hemp. and cunningly
favored, and it is said by its votaries to
afford a very short pathway to the
most exquisite sensations known, and
the penalties for its use are bitter and
CHASTITY in proportion.
A milder form of the intoxica ton
produced by hasheesh follows the smok-
ing of the leaves of ''ganja," or the
hemp plant. This plant is grown in
many parts of Asia. and so addicted is
the Indian Coolie TO solacing himself
with its fumes that in whatever part of
the world he happens to pitch his tent.
even if only temporarily, he makes the
ganja plant occupy a prominent place
in the little cultivated clearing that
inevitably surrounds his barracks
Now that the periodic fulminations
against opium are deprived by facts and
figures of much of their force the at
tention of the English government has
been diverted to the subject of ganja
consumption in India. SO long ago as
1871 the deleterious effects of ganja
were brought TO the notice 81 the gov
ernment in India. The question has
been taken up again, and local govern
ments have been directed To inquire
into the truth of the allegations fire.
quently made that the abuse of the
drug produces insanity and other dam
gerous effects, and they We're requested
to report whether il would be expedient
TO restrict the use of the ganja or to
suppress the cultivation of the hemp
plant altogether Upon a careful con-
sideration of the opinions elected the
government of India has come to the
following conclusion in regard to the
effect of the drug:
ut does not appear to be specifically
proved that hemp incites TO crime moro
than any other drugs or other spirits
And there is evidence to show that, on
rare occasions, this drug. usually so
noxious, may be use1ully taken. There
can, however, be no doubt that its hab-
itual use does tend to produce insanity.
The total number of cases of insanity
is small in proportion to the popula-
ton, and not large even in proportion
to the number of ganja smokers, but
of the cases of insanity produced by
the excessive use of drugs or spirits by
far the largest number must be attrio-
uted 10 the abuse of hemp
Gania cultivation has been prohibited
for many years in Burmah, and 1t has
lately been suggested that the prohibi-
tion be extended to other provinces of
British India. The wisdom of this step
is questioned by those who know the
people and country of India, where the
practice of ganja smoking has existed
from time immemorial, and among GER
! tain sects of Hindoos, ascetics and re-
ligious mendicants. hemp intoxication
is habitually INDUCED in. it would be
impossible, too, to suppress the growth
of the plant Furthermore. it is Thought
that its prohibition might induce the
use of still more noxous drugs India
abounds with plants growing wild from
which drugs can be procured which are
more deleterous in their effects than
ganja. One such plant is the dhatura
(stramonium), the seeds of which are
already used to intensity the narcotic
effects of bhang, a liquid preparation
of hemp leaves; and if the use of genja
were suppressed altogether dhatura
might be largely resorted 10 by the
poorer classes as a means of satisfying
their craving for siimulants. The
probable result of the present agitation
will be to restrict the consumption Of
the drug as far as possible. Y. Ad-