342
33. Almost all the people say that smoking
ganja is a bad habit. It is socially used by the
mendicants only. But there is no rule that the
polite and the religious men should use it. I can-
not say much about it. On the whole it is in-
jurious, as it spoils the brain and disturbs the
calmness of the mind, It often deviates a man
from the right path. He will become quite mad if
he cannot get it in its proper time. He will feel
much disgust without it, and will be roused to a
spirit of robbery. It spoils the reputation of a man.
Nobody of any sect has at any time worshipped
the hemp plant.
39. Smoking is more injurious than drinking
and eating, for it weakens the strength and causes
dry cough in the consumer.
40. Native doctors mix these drugs with other
materials as a remedy for the following diseases :
colic, diarrhœa, dysentery, asthma ; but it is in no
way used in the treatment of cattle disease.
41. Ganja and bhang taken for merriment's
sake do not benefit the consumers, except when
they are served as medicinal elements.
42. It gives no benefit, but it is the source of
madness.
43. They are offensive to their neighbours, who
speak ill of them.
44. A habitual consumer shows himself active
for a while immediately after he uses it. The
consumer thinks himself to he stronger owing to
the senselessness. He becomes like mad and feels
hungry ; but it cannot create appetite or relish for
food. Daily consumers feel better for not more
than an hour. At last it digests mucous slime.
The consumer feels all sorts of inconvenience if
he does not find ganja in proper time. It compels
a man to feel the want of it until he gets ganja
for the next time.
45. The habitual moderate use of ganja is the
cause of ill-heath, both mentally and physically.
I am sure that those who are well-disposed and
make a moderate use of ganja become stout, vigor-
ous, and cheerful.
49. The use of ganja does not give any strength,
but a man feels pleasure that he is strong.
51. It seems that ganja increases the bad char-
acters of the habitual consumers who practise it or
use it once a day, and hence show their violence.
53. Ganja, when taken excessively, excites a
consumer to commit any kind of voilence. About
23 years ago there was a consumer, named Podma-
napha Marvary, who actually tried to stab one Da-
sarathi Chavu Patnaik with the cruel intention of
murdering him.
54. I am not aware of instances in which the
consumers take ganja to commit a premeditated act
of violence and defend themselves by pleading
that they were out of their senses ; but it is said
that such things may be done.
55. It is possible that a criminal, in order to
further his designs, can induce his victim to par-
take of any of these drugs and so stupefy him.
This drug, without any admixture, when taken,
causes consumption and bile ; but it does not
entirely stupefy a man.
129. Evidence of SRI SRI SRI GOURA CHANDRA. GAJAPATY NARAYAN DEO GARU,
Kshatria, Zamindar of Parlakimedi, Ganjam District.
1 1. General local knowledge.
3. It does not grow spontaneously within my
knowledge.
14. (a ) Generally everywhere.
(b) In Parlakimedi, Hiramandalam, Varanasi,
and Battili.
(c) In a few houses ; quantity not known.
16. Bhang is prepared in some houses. It can
be prepared from ganja leaves grown anywhere.
I know of no wild plant from which these can be
prepared.
19. Charas is used only for smoking ; ganja, is
used for smoking, and is also drunk when mixed
with bhang and other drugs. The use is not con-
fined to any place in particular.
20. A small proportion of all classes of people
(about 10 per cent.) smoke ganja in this taluka.
24. A very small proportion, say one per cent.,
drink a preparation of bhang.
25. It seems to be on the increase. Why I do
not know.
28. Cannot say.
32. I know of none.
33. The use of these drugs in excess is regarded
as very bad, but in moderation the effect is con-
sidered good. This is public opinion. There is
no custom of worshipping the hemp plant.
39. Cannot say.
40. The essence of ganja leaves is considered
valuable medicine, and the leaves of the hemp
plant are sometimes used in diseases of cattle.
41. Yes.
42. Yes; moderate users are no worse than
other members of society.
43. Yes ; moderate consumers give no offence
to their neighbours.
44. The moderate use of these drugs produces
exhilaration and creates appetite. It is refresh-
ing and allays hunger, but afterwards causes drow-
siness.
45. Speaking generally, the moderate use of
these drugs seems to produce no evil effect of any
sort on the consumers.
49. A preparation of these drugs called "halwa''
is sometimes used for this purpose.
51. I do not know.
53. I know of no case of this sort.
54 and 55. I do not know
.