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49. Evidence of T. KODANDARAM NAIDU, Tahsildar, Hospett.
1. Enquiries made for the express purpose of
answering these questions.
3. Not spontaneously grown in the Hospett
taluk.
14. (a) Ganja is not systematically prepared in
this district. The hemp plant is not grown as a
regular crop, but one or two of it may be found
in back-yards here and there. Some raiyats
grow it in their fields, but the plants are generally
very few and intended for personal use.
(b) Charas is unknown in this part of the
country.
(c) Bhang is likewise unknown.
19. Ganja is not only used for smoking, but
it enters also into the composition of certain be-
verages and medicines. A preparation called
majum is made of ganja.
20. All classes use ganja from the Brahmin
down to the Madiga. Two per cent. of the
population may be said to be addicted to its use.
25. Seems to be stationary. Looking to figures,
one may say that it is declining, but experi-
ence shows that it is otherwise.
28. Ganja, 3 tolas; value Rs. 0-1-3.
32. No customs alluded to exist in this dis-
trict except that when a person smokes ganja he
invariably hands the pipe to those happening to
be with him at the time, provided they are habi-
tual smokers of that drug, and often offers it to
strangers as well.
33. The consumption is looked upon as a bad
habit. There is certainly public opinion which
is not in favour of the consumption. All com-
munities look down upon the consumer, and re-
gard him as low in the social ladder. The use of
the drug is in disrepute whatever may be the
form. The hemp plant is not worshipped in this
district.
39. Smoking is said to be more harmful because
it affects the lungs.
40. Yes, but to very inconsiderable extent. A
paste of ganja is applied to sores. It is said to
serve the purpose of carbolic acid. The tongues
of animals refusing to eat are rubbed over with
a powder made of ganja, saffron, and salt. Ganja
mixed in gram gives strength to cattle, and keeps
them in good condition.
41. Yes.
43. Yes.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use
of ganja is that it removes restlessness and fixes
attention on any particular subject. It is said to
be somewhat refreshing. It allays hunger, but
does not produce it. The effect lasts from 1 to
6 hours. Want of subsequent gratification pro-
duces longing or uneasiness in the habitual con-
sumer.
45. A moderate use does not produce any bad
effects. On the other hand it fixes the attention
of the consumer on objects over which he wishes
to devote his time. It keeps down manly power
and that is the reason why sanyasis take to it.
The consumer is quiet and appears to be in a con-
templative mood.
49. Yes ; when mixed with opium, etc., and
used in the form of electuaries, ganja increases
venereal desire.
51. No. It has no connection whatever with
crime like alcohol.
53. No.
54. No.
55. No. No.
50. Evidence of M. BIMACHARI, Tahsildar, Rayadrug.
1. I instituted special enquiries after the receipt
of the order directing me to answer these ques-
tions.
3. Not in this district.
14. No ; only ganja is imported.
16. Bhang and Charas are neither prepared nor
used in this part of the country. Ganja can be
prepared from the ganja plant or its dry flowers.
19. Charas not being used here. Ganja is used
for smoking and in making a sort of sweetmeat.
The process of this preparation is that essence of
ganja is collected by boiling it with ghee. Then
mix it with syrup and poppy-seeds, and spread in
places and cut them in square pieces.
20. Generally Rajputs, Muhammadans, fakirs,
bairagis, and persons who are supposed to have
renounced worldly cares and desires and military
people. It is impossible to form the proportion
by figures and facts. In this taluk I have found
persons smoking in Rayadrug and Kanekal.
24. Bhang is not used in this part of the
country.
25. Only isolated instances are found there.
From inquiries I have made of the people who
are accustomed to the use of ganja, I am of opi-
nion that its use is decreasing on account of re-
strictions and high prices at which ganja is sold.
28. The average quantity for each man per day
is about half tola, and its cost will be three pies
in Rayadrug and Kanekal. This is for ganja.
32. Ganja is used only as a religious custom
among those who have some veneration for siva,
specially on Sivaratri day. They on that day
worship Siva with water mixed with ganja,
poppy-seeds, sugar, other spices. This custom
is partially observed by Rajputs.
33. It is considered as injurious to health ; it
disorders the brain, and brings on lung affections.
Respectable class of people and officials do not
give credit to the statement of the persons who
smoke ganja or use bhang. As it is said that
Siva even used ganja, Rajputs sometimes worship
ganja plant.
39. Smoking ganja is injurious to health be-
cause it affects the lungs. Drinking and eating
in the form of bhang is not so bad as that of
smoking, because in preparing it for either drink
or eating, milk, sugar, almond, melon seed, pepper,
rose petals, and other ingredients and spices are
added to ganja ; consequently, these articles
being nourishing, tend to counteract the bad
effects of ganja. Hukka smoking is more injur-
ious than drinking or eating.
40. Native doctors prescribe ganja cigarettes
for asthma. The ashes of ganja are used for