243
34. No serious privation to habitual moderate
consumers by preventing them to consume the
drug they use.
35. It is feasible to prohibit the use of these
drugs by heavy duty. It would be consumed
illicitly. The prohibition will cause much discon-
tent among the consumers without any political
danger, The prohibition will lead the consumers
to take recourse to alcoholic stimulants.
36. It cannot be stated.
37. Charas is not known here.
38. It cannot be said.
39. Smoking ganja is less injurious than eating
and drinking bhang. Reasons cannot be given.
40. Bhang is said to be used on account of its
medicinal properties. Bhang leaves are used for
cattle for nourishment.
41. (a) The moderate use of bhang gives the
effect of increasing the digestive process.
(b) The smoking of ganja alleviates fatigue.
(c) Bhang and ganja are used as a preventive
of disease in malarious and unhealthy tracts.
The moderate habitual use that is referred to as
regards (a) , the moderate occasional use that is
referred to as regards (b) and (c) .
42. The moderate use of these drugs is stated
to be harmless. Reasons cannot be given.
43. Inoffensive to their neighbours.
44. A habitual consumer, taking a moderate
quantity of any of these drugs, will feel giddy and
then intoxicated. It does not allay hunger, but
increases appetite. It has its effect for an hour
or two. The want of subsequent gratification
does not produce any longing or uneasiness after
food is taken.
45. (a) None.
(b) to (e) No.
( f) It does not deaden the intellect or produce
insanity.
46. No cases have come within my experience.
But it is said that, owing to excessive use of ganja,
as any other stimulant, lessens the appetite, and
works both upon the body and mind so as to im-
pair the physical and mental faculties. Such con-
sumers will, however, be restored to their former
vigour by moderate use of the drug and proper
nourishment.
47. No.
49. It does not produce impotence.
53. It does. I have heard of a case that a
Muhammadan peon, owing to excessive use of ganja,
had become so intoxicated that he beat an old man,
who happened to pass before him, to death. The
latter appeared to the Muhammadan as a pig in
his intoxicating mood, and he, according to the
principles of his religion, smashed the head of the
old man with a stick.
54. No.
57. These are neither eaten nor drunk in these
parts.
60. The cultivation is scarce.
61. Charas is not produced here, nor is it used.
68. In this taluk there are four shops where the
drugs are sold. The buyers do not consume them
in the places where they are sold.
69. Wishes of the people are consulted before
any shop is opened. The least objectionable site
will be selected, approved by the police and magis-
tracy. Public local opinion should be considered.
56. Evidence of CHAGANTI SOMAYAJULU, Brahmin, Acting Tahsildar, Palakonda.
1. As a Taluk officer for 11 years, I have had
to inspect opium and ganja shops at times.
14. Ganja is prepared in this, Cheep urupally,
Vizianagram, and Vizagapatam taluks. Bhang
also in Vizianagram. It is prepared to a moderate
extent.
16. By those who are addicted to it, bhang is
prepared generally in their houses in Vizianagram.
It can be prepared from the hemp plant wherever
grown, but the material got from Calcutta and
Benares is preferred. Ganja also can be prepared
from the hemp wherever it is grown. I know
nothing of charas.
19. Ganja is used only for smoking.
20. All Hindu ascetics known as bairagis and
sanyasis, [some Muhammadans, and some lower
classes of Hindus smoke ganja. Retired sepoys
also are in the habit of smoking this. A large
number of smokers will be found in Vizianagram,
Vizagapatam, Ellamanchelli, and Anakapalli.
Their proportion may be estimated at about 2
per cent. of the population.
24. So far as I know, it is only in Vizianagram
that bhang is used mostly by those who belong
to the Bengal Presidency, and who have visited
Benares and other places. Hindustanis and some
Brahmin students and pandits consume it to a
large extent. The number of such men may be
estimated at about 3,000.
25. Cannot say.
33. The use of ganja and bhang are looked
down as disgraceful. In these parts the consump-
tion of ganja and bhang are considered socially
and religiously objectionable. These drugs are
held in disrepute, as they intoxicate and gradually
enfeeble the constitution and make one impotent.
39. Smoking is considered to be more injuri-
ous than eating and drinking. Smoking gradually
weakens the chest, stoops down the consumer,
renders the countenance ghastly, and makes one
timid and impotent.
40. Opium is the only drug which is medici-
nally used in cases of diarrhoea, dysentery, cough,
etc. Bhang and ganja are not used medicinally
in general.
41. Moderate use of bhang may be somewhat
beneficial, but that of ganja and charas is not.
42. Bhang moderately used is considered to
invigorating, but it enfeebles the man when the
intoxication is over. Ganja and charas are always
injurious, as they tend to diminish the brain
power, spoil the countenance, weaken the consti-
tution, and gradually emaciate the man.
43. They may at times be boisterous; generally
they are inoffensive.
44. The immediate effect of the use of these
drugs is drowsiness and stupefaction. I don't
know if it is refreshing. It produces in-
- t o x i c a t i o n . G a n j a a l l a y s h u n g e r , w h i l e b h a n g
kindles appetite. The effect lasts according to the
quantity used, and generally it lasts for an hour.
2 L2