Thoughts from the void: Memorandum on Hemp Drugs in Shahpura State 1894

SHAHPURA STATE MEMORANDUM, Vol 3, Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895, https://digital.nls.uk/74464868

Bhang is the only drug produced in the Phulia pargana of Shahpura. Ganja is not grown, neither is charas manufactured. There is no control on bhang of any kind on the part of the Chiefship, except that the land used for its cultivation is charged rent at the usual rate. Bhang is manufactured by drying the leaves of the plant, and both ganja and bhang are imported from Bhilwara by the shop keepers of Shahpura and sold both in Shahpura territory and to traders and others of foreign States. For the cultivation of bhang along with the "ranjka" grass land rent is charged at Rs. 6 per bigah, or Rs. 10-6 per acre. Import and export duties on both bhang and ganja are levied at the same rate, viz., one pice per seer. The ganja imported into the Chiefship is of the kind known as "Indori." There is no system whatever for the sale, etc., of bhang, nor is it controlled by any officer or Acts or rules of any kind. The drug is imported and sold by the shopkeepers at their will and pleasure. Wild hemp is not found in the Chiefship. No prohibition exists for the cultivation of the hemp plant, but, as already stated, ganja is not grown anywhere in the Chiefship. Bhang is invariably cultivated with the "ranjka" grass in localities with plenty of moisture. Ganja and other hemp drugs are imported by mahajans, "tambolis," and by a few "halvais." The system of granting license is not in force, nor is there any arrangement for controlling the transport of the drugs. They are not under any control, nor are they licensed. Shahpura is a fortified town with gates, at each of which customs officials are posted, who register all goods imported into or exported from the town and levy duties thereon. In villages "mapadars" are appointed for the collection of duties on all goods, including drugs, etc. On all bhang taken from Shahpura territory to foreign States transit duty is charged at three pies per seer in addition to the export duty. "Mapa" and weighment duties are not levied on ganja as it is not produced in the Chiefship, but import, export, and transit duties are charged at 3 pies per seer. There being no prohibition for the sale of ganja and bhang, it is not necessary to fix sites of retail shops or grant licenses for the sale of drugs. No rate is fixed at which the drug must be sold by wholesale to retail vendors. The average wholesale price of ganja, which is imported from Bhilwara, is Rs. 9 per maund and of bhang Rs. 5 per maund, and the retail price Rs. 25 and Rs. 8 per maund respectively. No maximum amount is fixed for retail sales to, or possession by the ordinary consumers, whilst the minimum prices fixed for the sale of the drugs are given in the preceding answer. The duties on the drugs being light, and there being no prohibition for their importation or growth, smuggling and illicit cultivation are not carried on. For the future it is proposed to issue licenses to a limited number of persons at few selected places. Bhang is not separately grown anywhere in the Phulia pargana of Shahpura. It is cultivated with the "ranjka" grass. The area under bhang cultivation, if separately calculated is estimated at 25 bighas, yielding 125 maunds, at 5 maunds per bigah. In addition to this 25 maunds are imported from Bhilwara, making a total of 150 maunds. Of this, about 125 maunds are consumed annually and the rest exported to territories of foreign states. About 4 maunds of ganja are imported annually and consumed in the Chiefship. A statement showing the revenue derived from the hemp drugs for the past twenty years cannot besubmitted owing to the customs duties of the Chiefship having been farmed for a considerable number of years to various persons, who kept no regular account of the income realized by them. The average annual income derived from import, export, and transit duties on the hempplants is, however, roughly estimated at Rs. 200.

Translated. A. P. THORNTON, Lieut.-Colonel, Political Agent

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Memorandum on Hemp Drugs in Shahpura State 1894

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