CH. XIV.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 281

Dr. H. M. Clark, Missionary (46), would like to see charas prohibited if
it were possible. He thinks, however; that alcohol does more harm than charas.
He cannot believe that a moderate use of charas is possible. Fakirs and devotees
are the chief consumers.

Devi Dayal, Editor of the Kaistha Mitra,* Lahore, circulation 300 copies (83),
says: "If charas be called poison (fatal, killing, murdering drug), it is not an exag-
geration of any kind. It is a great vice to smoke charas. May God not give this
even in the lot of a fœ. Only just people as have bad luck get engaged
in this vice. Government will do their subjects a very great obligation by
saving them from early death and whirlpool of destruction and ruin. My
present belief is that there is no such thing as moderation in the use of charas,
because, when a charsi visits another, he offers him the chillum, and they
smoke in company. The smoke is thus repeated frequently." Consumers
acknowledge that they would have no complaint; and if Government were to
prohibit the use of charas to-morrow, the bad habit would die out of itself.

Ganesh Das, Pleader, and President, Sarin Sabha, Hoshiarpur (77): Charas
is consumed by shoemakers, musicians, jogis, sanyasis, and suthra fakirs, and
by some Khatris and Brahmins. The physical effects are very bad, and most
consumers become incapacitated for work and lead a miserable life. The sub-
committee of the Sarin Sabha appointed to consider the subject recommend
prohibition. Enquiry was not made from medical experts. Consumers would
not take to other intoxicants, because the intoxication of charas is not like
that of opium or other intoxicants. The greatest loss would be that of the
traders of Hoshiarpur and Amritsar, who take merchandise to Ladakh and
Yarkand and bring back charas.

Opinions against prohibition of
charas.

577. The following is an analysis of some of the
most important evidence against prohibition:—

(1) Prohibition impossible or unnecessary, or could not be enforced without
                                  a large preventive establishment.

(2) Prohibition would be strongly resented by religious mendicants, or would
be regarded as an interference with religion, or would be likely to become
a political danger.

(3) Mr. Thorburn, Commissioner.
(6) Mr. Ibbetson, Deputy Commissioner.
(10) Mr. A. Anderson, Deputy Commissioner.
(8) Mr. Maconachie, Deputy Commissioner.
(13) Mr. Drummond, Deputy Commissioner.
(29) Mr. Brown, Officiating Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

                              * This paper has ceased to exist.

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