256

56. The admixture of dhatura is used occasion-
ally for personal consumption and for administra-
tion to others.

A Brahmin leper of my native village used
dhatura for personal consumption.

57. I do not know.

66. In my own opinion I prefer different rates
of taxation for different kinds of ganja, according
to the qualities.

97. Evidence of BABU HARA GOPAL DUTTA, Kayasth, Retired Excise Daroga,
                                                  Mymensingh.

1.   I have served in the Excise Department
for about thirty-two years. The whole period of
my service has been spent within Mymensingh
district.

2.   Ganja and, bhang are not produced from th^e
same plant. Seeds are seen in all the varieties of
ganja sold in this district. With the exceptions
noted above, the definitions may be accepted.

3.   Bhang grows spontaneously in Mymensingh
district. It grows in abundance here.

4.   Bhang.

5.   I cannot answer.

6.   Scattered.

7.   (a) At Rajshahi, but to what extent I am
not aware.

(b), (c) and (d) Nil.

8.   I am not aware of any increase or decrease.
9 to 12. No information.

13.   The cultivation of hemp plant for ganja is
restricted to the Rajshahi district. The district
was selected as its soil was specially adapted for
the growth of ganja. Dry and elevated soil is
necessary for the growth of the plant. I am not
aware what climatic conditions are required.
Ganja loses much of its intoxicating properties if
there be any shower in Pous and Magh, i.e., just
before reaping the crop. I am not aware if the
cultivation of ganja would be impossible in any
district.

14.   (a) and (b) In Rajshahi district; but I am
not aware to what extent it is prepared there.

(c) Wild bhang is gathered to a small extent in
this district.

15.   The ganja plants are cut. They are then
trodden under foot or rolled, as the case may be.
The small branches are then made into bundles.
I am not aware how ganja is prepared from the
wild plant. The resinous matter of ganja adheres
to the feet of the labourers when they tread on
ganja. This resinous matter is collected and
forms charas.

The wild bhang plants are cut and their leaves
gathered. They are then dried in the sun. There
are no different preparations of these drugs for
smoking, eating and drinking.

16.   Bhang is prepared by the people in their
own houses. It can be prepared from the hemp
plant wherever grown. I do not know if ganja
and charas can be prepared in the same way.

17.  No information.

18.   Ganja and bhang both deteriorate in their
intoxicating properties by keeping. I am not
aware if they quite lose their effect with time.
Ganja keeps good for a year and a half and bhang
for a year. The resinous matter in the drugs
gradually dries up. This is the cause of deteriora-
tion. If the drugs be kept in air-tight boxes and
exposed to the sun occasionally, the deterioration
may to a great extent be prevented.

19.   Ganja is generally smoked; but when an
excessive consumer is very much eager for taking
the drug, and cannot afford to wait till the neces-
sary preparations for smoking are made, he some-
times eats ganja, and when his craving is thus to a
certain extent satisfied, he proceeds to make the
preparations for smoking.

I have no experience about charas.

20.   Cannot answer.

21.   Flat ganja is preferred in this district. In
Calcutta and Jessore round ganja is preferred.

22.   Charas is not used in this district.

23.   The tops of bhang plants are sometimes
smoked when ganja cannot be obtained. No parti-
cular localities can be mentioned where this prac-
tice is in vogue. It is so used by the poorer
classes of consumers, who may not have the means
to purchase ganja at the time.

24. Cannot answer.

25. The total quantity of ganja consumed is on
the decrease, but the number of consumers is on
the increase. The increase in the duty of ganja is
the principal cause of the decrease in consumption.
The number of consumers has increased with the
increase in population.

28.   (a) One anna or one-sixteenth of a tola;
its price varies from 3 to 4½ pice.

(b) half a tola; its price varies from 2½ to 3 annas.

29.   (a) A leaf of tobacco is ordinarily mixed
with ganja. It destroys the bad smell of ganja.
(b) Dhatura is mixed with ganja occasionally by
excessive consumers to increase the intoxicating
properties.

(a) Bhang is ordinarily drunk with black
pepper. (b) Other spices are also occasionally mixed
with it.

30.   Ganja and bhang are generally taken in
solitude and rarely in company. Ganja is taken
by both sexes; but I have not seen any female
take bhang. Ganja and bhang are generally
taken by adults and old men. It is not usual for
children to take ganja or bhang.

31.  The habit of consuming ganja and bhang
is easily formed. It is difficult to break off the
habit when once formed. There is a tendency for
the moderate habit to develop into the excessive.

32. Ganja is required for Troilokya Nath's
mela and Tinlok's sinni. A number of ganja con-
sumers are assembled on such occasions and a pre-
scribed story is repeated and ganja is consumed.
Sweets are also taken. The use of ganja on these
occasions is compulsory. The consumption on
such occasions is generally excessive, and may lead
to the formation of the habit.

33. The consumption of ganja is generally re-
garded with contempt. The public opinion is
unfavourable to the consumption of the drug. It
makes people irritable and hot-tempered. This
is the reason why people look down upon the