391
40. By Muhammadan and Hindu doctors it is
prescribed on account of its medicinal qualities.
43. Yes; they are harmless
45. (e) I think, yes.
(f ) I have had some servants who smoked the
drug, and from my experience of them I believe
it deadens the intellect.
68. There are licensed shops for the sale of the
leaf and flower tops; but they are not consumed
there, as they have no license for the preparations,
which can only be done by the consumer. I am
of opinion that there should be no shops for the
sale of the prepared drug, as it is likely that a
number of idlers will be collected there to con-
sume the preparations.
69. There is some enquiry made before a shop
is opened in any locality, and it is absolutely
necessary that public opinion ought to be con-
sidered.
165. Evidence of GANJAM VENCATARATNAM, Brahmin, 1st Grade Pleader, Coconada,
Godavery District.
1. I am a Pleader of 13 years' standing.
Since I have been asked to give evidence in this
matter, I have paid some attention to the subject
and made certain enquiries from persons likely to
give me information, and the results of my en-
quiries are embodied in my answers. But I must
add that I have no special knowledge of the
subject.
2. The definition "ganja" herein given may
be accepted as applicable to the drug, locally
known as " ganjai plant," raised in or imported
into this district. The term " charas " is un-
known here.
3. I don't know of any district in which it is
grown spontaneously. But the plant is grown to
a very limited extent for purposes of consumption
in the Kistna and Godavery districts, as far as my
information goes.
4. The only name by which it is known in these
parts is " ganjai drug." What is produced in
the hill tracts goes by the name of " manyapu
ganjai," and what is raised in the plains is called
" dhesavali ganjai."
5 and 6. Cannot answer.
7. There is nothing like cultivation of the hemp
plant in this district to which my remarks apply.
It is however grown here and there for purposes
of consumption, generally by Musalmans, in their
back yards.
14. Ganja and bhang are prepared from the
female ganjai plant, either raised in this district
or imported from other places. But this obtains
here only to a very small extent.
15. There appears to be no distinction between
the methods of preparation of the cultivated and
the wild plant. The methods of preparation for
smoking, eating, and drinking are not uniform
and differ in certain respects.
16. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes.
17. By fakirs and ascetics known as bairagis,
by certain Musalmans, and by some lower
classes of Hindus, especially by the class of people
known as Bondhilis.
18. It keeps good for three years, and loses its
effect and gradually deteriorates after that period,
apparently from the same causes as tobacco de-
teriorates in time. But the plant produced in the
hill tracts is said to deteriorate more rapidly, that
is, in less than a year after its production.
19.
Ganjai is used not only for smoking, b
ut also bhang, majum, and halwa are prepared there-
from with the mixture of certain substances.
B h a n g i s u s e d f o r d r i n k i n g , a n d m a j u m a n d
h a l w a a r e e a t e n .
20. Almost all the bairagis, a few Musalmans,
Bondhilis, and Sudras smoke ganjai or use its
mixture in this district. The better classes of
Hindus or Musalmans are free from this practice,
and the people who resort to it form a miscroscopic
minority, not even 1 per cent, of the population.
21. The three kinds of ganja appear to be in
use in these parts. Round ganja is said to be
preferred for smoking purposes.
23. I am not aware of its being used for
smoking.
24.
Vide my answer to question 20.
25. The use of ganja and bhang is said to be
on the decrease since the Government placed re-
strictions on the cultivation of the plant. The
value of the drug in the bazaar is now almost
doubled.
27. Bairagis are the only class of people that
use the drug, and they believe in its efficacy to
lessen sexual desire. Others get into the habit,
in the majority of cases, by their association with
bairagis, and some of them believe also in its
medicinal properties. Their habits of life are not
active, and society looks upon them as unsteady
characters.
29. Pepper, "maratimoggalu," cloves, and other
kinds of spices are the ordinary ingredients form-
ing the mixture. Dhatura is also used in some
cases. The object of these admixtures is to in-
crease the intoxicating effects of the drug to a
greater or less degree.
30. The consumption of the drug is generally
practised in solitude. It is entirely confined to
the male sex. Once a person gets into the habit,
it is difficult for him to give it up at any time of
life, and it becomes a life-long habit. It is un-
usual for children to make use of any of these
drugs.
31. It is only weak-minded people who associate
themselves with bairagis that generally fall into
this habit in these parts. There may be no diffi-
culty in breaking it off ; but, if we appeal to
experience, we find that confirmed users seldom
withdraw from the practice. There might be no
such tendency in the drug itself ; but the habit,
though moderate in the beginning, may lead to
excess in course of time.
32. No such customs are prevalent in these
parts.
33. Public opinion here condemns the practice,
though not to that extent as the use of alcohol or
other intoxicating spirits is condemned. If any-
body belonging to these parts who goes to Benares
or other places in the north and stops there for any
length of time should contract the habit, he tries
to give it up as soon as he returns to the country,
being afraid of public opinion.