230
Its cultivation is not affected by climate, soil, rain-
fall, elevation, etc.
14. Charas is never made in this province, but
the other two preparations (ganja and bhang) are
made and those, too, to a very limited extent.
15. From the cultivated plant it is prepared for
smoking thus :— Seeds and sticks are first removed.
The leaves are then washed in cold. water till all the
colouring matter is removed from them ; they are
then squeezed, keeping the same in the palm of the
left hand, and pressing them with the thumb
of the right hand. A quantity of tobacco is added
to it before used for drinking; the leaves are first
washed in water, they are then mixed with poppy-
seeds, nutmeg and other spices ; the mixture is
first cleaned by water, milk, and cocoanut juice, and
then ground with milk or water ; it is dissolved
in milk or water and then drunk; this preparation
is called bhang or subji. The leaves are ground
with other medicinal substances and made into a
conserve, which is eaten as medicine. Those who
desire intoxication, wash the leaves in water and
eat them after mixing the same with jaggery ; the
effect of this is instantaneous.
16. Those who are in the habit of using it, pre-
pare bhang in their own houses.
17. All who use hemp drugs buy ganja from
shops and make their own preparations, unless
they have the produce of their own cultivation.
18. Bhang should be used directly it is prepared.
If kept, its quality will deteriorate. Ganja may
be preserved for a year ; if it is well dried and
kept from being exposed to changes of weather,
but the conserve will not keep beyond six months ;
it will then become quite useless.
19. Charas is never used as already stated ;
ganja is not only used for smoking, but it is also
used for medicinal purposes. It is used every-
where as medicine.
20. Fakirs among Muhammadans and ascetics
among Hindus including pilgrims from Northern
India are in the habit of smoking ganja ; very few
others are addicted to it.
21. Flat ganja and broken ganja are indifferent-
ly used.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking.
24. vide answer 20. It is further to be added
that all classes of people use the drug as medicine.
25. It is neither on the increase nor decrease; it
is consumed as usual.
28. The quantity taken by an individual depends
upon the effects it produces upon him. His cost
does not exceed 4 pies daily.
29. For smoking, tobacco is usually added.
Dhatura seeds are added only for rendering it
highly intoxicating when making Pooranathi con-
serve. For medicine, several sorts of non-intoxi-
cating stuffs are mixed with this drug.
30. Smoking is usually practised in company.
Usually males contract the habit; children never
take to it. It is not confined to any particular
time of life among adults.
31. The habit is not easily formed, but when it
is once formed., it is difficult to break off. The
habitual moderate use is liable to develop into ex-
cessive consumption.
33. Those who use the drugs are considered men
of bad reputation ; it is not considered safe to have
dealings with them.
34. Those who are habituated to it suffer in
health, if deprived of it.
35. I think the use can be prohibited. Illicit
consumption may gradually cease. I answer the
other points in the negative.
36. No.
37. Charas not being used here, I cannot de-
scribe the difference.
38. Flat and broken ganja is used here.
40. Both the Muhammadan and Hindu systems
of medicine prescribe the drugs. It is not known
to be used. for cattle diseases.
41. It is taken
—
(a) for improving digestion ;
(b) for alleviating fatigue ;
(c) for preventing malarious diseases.
42. It is beneficial when used as medicine.
Otherwise it is injurious.
43. They are inoffensive.
44. Moderate use is said to produce appetite ;
but excessive eating, drinking, or smoking repels
food.
45. Moderate use is said to produce all the good
effects mentioned. It does not produce insanity.
46. Excessive use produces effects contrary to
the benefits described in the previous answer.
47. The habit cannot be said to be of hereditary
tendency.
49. Moderate use does not produce impotence.
50. Excessive use does produce impotence.
51. Moderate use of the drug does not lead to
commission of criminal offences.
52. Excessive use may lead to criminal acts
being perpetrated.
53. There is no such report that I know of.
55. Thieves have been reported to use this drug.
Dhatura and other intoxicants are mixed with this
for stupefying victims of their criminal acts.
56. When dhatura is added for increasing in-
toxication, the habit is said to gradually lead to
permanent insanity.
58. The present system of excise administration
seems to work well.
60. The cultivation of ganja is not, as already
stated, extensive, and the agriculturists do not as a
rule aspire to increase the cultivation, and so no
information is available on the point referred to.
61. Charas is never prepared here.
44. Evidence of C. VENKATA CHALAM, Tahsildar, Guntur.
1. My experience as Tahsildar for several years.
The opportunities I have had of obtaining informa-
tion while putting the monopoly of the drug to
auction and while inspecting the shops ; also the
occasions on which persons accustomed to the use
of the drug at a time at which they were under the
influence of drug, when they appeared before me
either as complainants, witnesses or defendants in
criminal cases, and in various enquiries as a revenue
officer.
3. None.
14. Ganja is prepared in Kistna and. Godavari
to a small extent. In Kistna the places are-
Masulipatam, Guntur, Nizampatam, Isandole,
Bhattiprole, etc. In Godavari-Cocanada, Rajah-