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cally, mentally as well as morally. The habit
induces laziness and deadens the intellect, though
I don't think it often produces insanity.
46.The habitual excessive use of these drugs
is even more harmful than the moderate use.
47.I think it does not.
48.The children are not affected, except so far
that they are necessarily of a weak constitution.
49.Sometimes. The prostitutes do use it
(bhang) on occasions for this purpose. I don't
think the use of hemp tends to produce impo-
tence. The use of bhang as an aphrodisiac is
more harmful than its ordinary use, as the effects
of the stimulated lust are added to the ordinary
consequences.
50.The evils emanating from the moderate use
of bhang are intensified when it is taken in excess.
The use of charas as an aphrodisiac in excess is
even more harmful.
51.No. In my opinion there is hardly any
connection at all between the two.
52.As above.
53.No.
54.No.
55.Very seldom. Complete stupefaction can,
1 think, be induced by this drug without admix-
ture.
56.Cardamoms, sugar and almonds as well as
milk make bhang milder in its effects.
Dhatura is mixed with it on occasions of Shiv-
ratri, but in very small quantities.
58.I think it is capable of improvement.
59.In the direction of prohibiting the sale of
charas. I would not tax bhang any further, as
the raising of its price would, I am afraid, make
it more "fashionable." Many persons, who con-
sider it beneath their dignity to drink it at
present, would take to it if it becomes dearer.
This is against the recognised canon of taxing the
intoxicants, but with a drug hitherto consumed
by the poor people and shunned by the wealthier
classes (leaving aside the case of the Dera Ghazi
Khan district) the danger is that an enhancement
in the price of bhang would make it more popular
with the middle as well as the higher classes.
60 and 61. It is not produced in the Punjab.
62.I don't think it should be controlled as the
cultivation is very small, and the increase in price
would be detrimental to the best interests of the
people.
68.I have no objection to the present system,
except that I would advise the prohibition of the
sale of charas.
64.No objections. But charas should not be
allowed to be imported.
65.I think it reasonable. Apparently bhang
yields less than its due share, but for reasons
given opposite question No. 59, an increase in its
price would be followed by evil consequences
67.No.
63.There is no prohibition in the licenses. As
a matter of fact, however, the consumption does
not take place on the premises. It would be
better to prohibit consumption on the premises
formally.
69.The wishes of the people are consulted and
considered before a new shop is opened anywhere.
But local public opinion is sometimes of no value,
as where the residents of the locality are given to
smuggling and they would not agree to a shop
being opened in their neighbourhood.
70.No.
Oral evidence.
I have been ten years in the service, nine years
as Extra Assistant Commissioner. I have been
on settlement duty for five years.
Question 3.—The wild hemp grows principally
close to the hills in the Jagadhari tahsil. I have
issued passes (as Excise Officer at Umballa) for per-
sons exporting from there. But I have not seen
the crop so as to describe the kind of lands it
grows in. All I can say is that it is spontaneous
and is largely exported.
Question 7.—I have not seen the cultivation in
Dera Ghazi Khan, but I have seen the entries in
the annual excise reports. I ba6e my statement
about 30 acres on the mention in the annual re-
ports. It is special cultivation in patches in
different places by a number of persons. I have
not seen it.
Question 24.—Sikhs take bhang more frequent-
ly than other classes. Very few of them take
charas — not proper Sikhs, only sadhus calling
themselves Sikhs.
In the Dera Ghazi Khan district, the most take
bhang only occasionally, more during the hot
weather than during the cold. Hindus and Ba-
luchis perhaps amount together to about 60 per
cent. of the population. Other Muhammadans
(besides the Baluchis) take the drug, but not so
frequently.
Question 27.—Here I give my general ex-
perience. There are a few persons in the Punjab
who take charas in moderation. I do not know
the moderate consumption among agriculturists.
It is, I believe, very rare in the Punjab. The re-
mark about "an atmosphere of vice" does not
apply to the Purbias, who are the principal con-
sumers in the Punjab.
Question 29.—The use of dhatura is general
among the followers of Shiva at the Shivratri.
This remark applies to Dera Ghazi Khan. I have
enquired on this point in that district. They take
the drug at that time and not again. It is a cus-
tom; but I do not know its origin. Dhatura is
taken in very small quantities, so that its effect
is almost imperceptible.
Question 35.—I propose the prohibition of
charas. I have never seen the use of ganja in the
Punjab. The bad effects of charas on the people
of the Punjab, apart from the Purbias, as described
by me, lead me to think that the Government
would be justified in prohibiting the drug. I
speak only of the Punjab and Punjabis; I have no
experience of others. I hold this, although I also
hold that Government should not interfere with
diet, etc., without gravest necessity. In my opi-
nion the harm done by charas in each individual
case is much greater than by alcohol; but the con-
sumers of the latter are much more numerous.
Neither I nor any of my friends take charas, but
some of us take alcohol. My experience of charas
is therefore confined to people whom I meet
casually, and to several of the patwaris working
under me, and a few among my acquaintances.
I have a more intimate acquaintance with the
moderate use of alcohol.
Question 51.—The use of charas does not lead
to crime. I have had charas smokers before me
as Magistrate. They were vicious persons of bad
character, from whom I had to take security.
They took both charas and chandu.