221
(b) If taken in excess is injurious in proportion
to the quality and quantity of other substances
with which it is mixed.
Dhatura is unknown here.
57. Already answered.
58. Excise system extends at present only to
the sale of this drug. It is working pretty well.
59. The hemp plant is home cultivated, and any
restriction on the cultivation and possession of the
drug for domestic use may prove a hardship. All
that is required is the exercise of vigilance, com-
bined with prudence, on the part of Abkari officers
to prevent illicit sales, which, I think, are to some
extent carried on, and to place some restrictions
on the cultivation of this plant for sale. I am
aware that difficulties crop up in carrying out the
restrictions proposed ; but to restrict at once the
cultivation itself may be felt severely by the people
concerned.
60. The plant is not cultivated here in fields.
A few scattered trees will be found in the back-
yards of some houses. No restrictions are yet
placed on cultivation.
61. Nil..
62. Vide reply to question 60.
63. None.
64. I have no objection.
65. Taxation on ganja and bhang is not advis-
able, for the consumers are mostly fakirs, ascetics,
beggars, and others of the cooly class.
66. Different trades are not necessary here if
taxation is not at all introduced.
67. Since the exclusive right of selling ganja is
leased out the price of ganja is raised to two annas
a tola, whereby the consumers are put to some diffi-
culty.
68. There are no such houses or licensed shops
in this district where the drug or its preparations
may be consumed in the premises. I am not in
favour of opening such houses, as they may have
the demoralising and stimulating influence upon
beginners who may be led away to these places.
69. The wishes of the people are consulted
before a shop is opened through the police and
Abkari officers.
70. Hemp drugs are imported into the district
from the Agency tracts as well as from the
Tributary Mahals of the Cuttack district.
39. Evidence of K. NARAYANA IYER, Brahmin, Deputy Collector, Gooty.
1. My opportunities were next to ml, except
local enquiries made at a few places in this divi-
sion.
2. I cannot say with certainty whether the de-
finitions may be accepted or not. The people who
use the plant in these parts can hardly distinguish
the male from the female plants. The leaf of the
hemp plant is generally known as ganja, and the
powder of the leaf bhang. Charas does not seem
to be made in these parts.
3. I do not know.
4. The plant is known by the name of ganja.
5. The plant requires occasional watering. No
special climate or condition appears to be necessary
for it.
6. I do not know.
7. The plant is cultivated to a very limited ex-
tent, its cultivation being confined to back-yards or
vegetable gardens. It is used for (a), (c) and (d).
8 . N o i n c r e a s e .
9. The hemp plant is cultivated just like ragi.
The seeds are first sown, and then covered with a
layer of earth and watered. After a week or so
the seeds begin to sprout, and they are subsequent-
ly transplanted. The plant requires watering now
and then till the leaves ripen, after which the wa-
tering is generally stopped.
10. It is generally fakirs and ascetics who
cultivate the plant. Agricultural cultivators also
cultivate it ; but to a very small extent in vege-
table gardens for medicinal purposes or for
fibre.
1 1 . N o t k n o w n .
1 2 . I d o n o t k n o w .
13. It is not restricted. No special conditions
seem to be required.
14. (a) and (c) are prepared to a very limited
extent in large towns, but secretly, (b) is not pre-
pared here.
15. The cultivation being very limited, no special
methods of cultivation are observed.
Ganja is
generally used for smoking. Bhang is consumed
along with jaggery and spices or in the form of
a syrup known here by the name of Ramarasam.
16. It is prepared by bazar men and sold.
Bhang and ganja can both be prepared from the
hemp plant wherever grown.
17. It is not restricted to any class.
18. Yes. These deteriorate if kept for over a
year or a year-and-a-half. The strength of the
drugs is lessened by the length of time.
19. Ganja is used for smoking or with legiams
(jellies). Charas is not to be had in these parts.
20. Ascetics, fakirs and people addicted to
drinking use ganja. The percentage of the
population who use the drug is not accurately
known.
21. The ganja generally used in these parts is
called mulki, which is neither flat nor round.
The flowering tops are not pressed so as to assume
any shape ; they are allowed to dry and then used
as they are.
22. Charas is not at all known to many.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking, vide answer
to question 15, chapter III.
24. Generally Raj puts and Marwaris living in
these parts use bhang.
25. The smoking of ganja may be said to be on
the increase, though it is sold at a higher rate than
before.
26. The consumers are generally habitual moder-
ate consumers.
27. Vide answer to question 20. Wandering
fakirs and hard-working cooly classes take it to
alleviate the fatigue they feel. Idleness also begets
the practice.
28. (a) Generally a tola, worth four pies.
29. Tobacco is mixed with ganja for smoking
purposes to lessen the bilious character of pure
ganja. Dried ginger and jaggery are also used
with bhang for taste. Dhatura is also said to be
rarely and clandestinely used to increase intoxication.