220
27. Bairagis, fakirs, Rajputs, Muhammadan
mendicants and some Sudras smoke ganja and drink
bhang and eat other preparations made from the
hemp plant to keep themselves in a state of intoxi-
cation, to prevent the evil effects of water, to keep
the body warm, and to endure hunger. They say
by smoking ganja they don't feel the effects of
appetite, and that it increases manhood.
28. (a ) 3 pies.
(b) 6 pies.
29. ( a) Jaggery, ghee, milk, sugar, chick pea,
parched rice, tobacco, poppy are ordinarily used as
ingredients.
(b) Dhatura, jaggery, ghee, milk, chick pea
and parched rice are used to lessen the bitterness
of the hemp leaf. Tobacco and dhatura are used
to increase the intoxication. Nothing like bhang
massala is sold in the bazar.
30. The consumption of bhang and ganja is
practised generally in company, and is confined to
male sex. Children of fakirs and bairagis of about
seven or eight years of age also smoke ganja.
31. The habit of consuming ganja and bhang
is easily formed. It is difficult to break off.
There is a tendency to develop into excess.
32. The Rajputs drink pannia and make pre-
sents of ganja on occasions of festival and marriage.
Neither the Musalman nor the Hindu religion re-
quires the use of these drugs on religious occasions.
On the other hand, it is prohibited. Nevertheless,
as a matter of fact, in the mutts of bairagis, such
as at Tripati and at the shrines of Muhammadan
saints, such as at Nagore, Conjeveram, Arcot and
other places, the janisheen or the manager of the
shrine distributes ganja to all the fakirs who as-
semble during the ooroos or festival. In none of
these places, religiously speaking, ganja should be
distributed; but, according to custom among the
fakirs, its distribution is essential. On occasions
like these, some consume these drugs excessively,
while others are temperate. These habits are cer-
tainly injurious.
33. Public opinion is always against its con-
sumption, as it demoralises the consumer. No-
where the hemp plant is worshipped in this divi-
sion.
34. Ganja smoking is not like opium eating.
Ganja consumers can forego its consumption with-
out much difficulty.
35. Absolute and. sudden prohibition is not
feasible. The drug will be consumed illegally.
Prohibition can be enforced by enhancing the price
of these drugs and checking the progress of hemp
cultivation. Absolute prohibition would cause
serious discontent among the consumers. Such
discontent can never cause a political danger. Pro-
hibition will be followed to some extent by recourse
to alcoholic intoxicants and other drugs.
36. No.
37. Charas smoking is stronger than ganja
smoking.
38. Flat ganja is more intoxicating than round
ganja or chur.
39. Smoking ganja is more injurious than eating
or drinking bhang ; the former affects the lungs
and brings on cough, which keeps them always
sick.
40. Native doctors use ganja for some diseases.
Ganja is used in cattle treatment also.
41. (a) No.
(b) (b) No.
(c) Yes.
(d) Yes.
42. Is harmful. The consumer becomes em-
aciated.
43. Yes.
44. Causes immediate intoxication and keeps
the body warm. Is refreshing to some extent.
Allays hunger. The effect lasts for an hour or
two.
45. (a ) Yes; physical, mental, and moral.
(b ) Yes.
(c) No.
(d) Causes dysentery and asthma.
(e) Causes laziness and debauchery in the begin-
ning.
(f ) Causes insanity, deadens intellect. The in-
sanity is in some cases temporary and other cases
permanent.
46. Habitual consumers are subject to fatal
diseases to which they succumb.
•
47. No ; the children of the moderate consumer
are not effected.
48. The use of the drug is not hereditary ; but
the children of excessive consumers are weak and
unhealthy.
49. No. No.
51.. No.
52. No.
5.3. No.
54. Yes ; ganja is mixed in cakes and other
eatables, by eating which the victims become com-
pletely stupefied, when the criminals seize the
opportunity to supply themselves. Complete stupe-
faction is induced by ganja without admixture.
58. The system is not working well. It gives
room. for illicit sale. Some check should be placed
on the cultivation of hemp. Its cultivation with-
out license should be made penal.
60. There is no restriction as to the cultivation
of hemp plant.
61. Charas is not prepared in this division.
62. Vide answer to question No. 59.
63. No distinction is made between wholesale
and retail dealers. The licensed vendor can sell
any quantity for any price whatever.
64. No.
66. Difference in taxation is not necessary.
68. No.
69. No ; if the sale of the ganja is sanctioned,
there can be no use in considering public opinion
about it.
70. No ; the right of selling ganja, is leased out
annually.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.- I have put in thirteen or fourteen
years' service as Sub-Registrar, Clerk in various
Collectors' Offices, Tahsildar, Sub-Magistrate, and
Deputy Collector.
Question 45.-The moderate use of the drugs
does not cause insanity ; it is only the excessive use
does so.
Question 46.-I know many excessive consumers.
Only a fortnight ago, the police brought before me
an insane who had been taking ganja. He was
sent to the Civil Medical Officer for observation,