195
28. Widely varying estimates are given, but
apparently an excessive consumer can satisfy him-
self with about one anna's worth in the day.
29. Details will be found in many of the
answers appended. The object of admixture is
apparently generally to increase the intoxicating
effect or to make the drug more palatable.
30. No rule that I can ascertain. It is mainly
confined to the male sex. Children do not usual-
ly consume the drug.
31. I believe so. It is, I understand, difficult.
Yes; this is the general belief.
32, On two particular occasions it is said to be
customary to consume bhang. The consumption
is said to be moderate on such occasions, and is not
essential to the worship. I consider such a cus-
tom is more or less likely to lead to the formation
of the habit.
33. The use of ganja seems to be universally
regarded with disapproval. That of bhang, es-
pecially on certain occasions, less so. But the
habitual consumption of all forms of the drug is
in disrepute, and consumers, as a rule, endeavour
to conceal the habit. The evils resulting from
excess in its use, and the fact that it is generally
used as an aphrodisiac, may account for the senti-
ment against it. I believe the plant is not
worshipped by any of the natives of the district.
34. I have no doubt it would to all habitual
consumers. I cannot give numbers.
35. In my opinion it would not be feasible. I
believe it would be illicitly consumed. It would
be practically impossible to enforce prohibition.
It might, of course, be practicable with a very
large staff to stamp out to a large extent the
pro-duction of the drug ; but this would involve the
evils which attend all such attempts in this
country. I believe the prohibition would cause
severe discontent among consumers. I do not
think that in this district it would amount to a
political danger.
36. I have no doubt that prohibition would be
followed by recourse to another form of intoxicant.
This is, I believe, the result of prohibition always
when another intoxicant is available. The ten-
dency is, I understand, in the other direction.
39. The bulk of opinion in this district is to the
effect that drinking bhang is the least injurious
and is sometimes even beneficial.
40. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
41. It is generally believed to be of benefit in
(a), (b), and (c).
43. Yes.
44.. These are described by the medical officers
who have sent in their replies.
4.5. In my experience as a magistrate, I have
on several occasions had lunatics brought before
me and their insanity has been ascribed to the
use of hemp drugs. In one case, which came
particularly under my observation, the lunatic
recovered very shortly after he was placed in
confinement, I cannot say if the lunatics were
habitual moderate consumers or excessive con-
sumers.
49. It is widely believed to be an aphrodisiac.
The preparations of ganja seem to be in most
repute in this connection.
51 and 52. I do not consider there are suffi-
cient grounds for saying that there is any con-
nection in this district of the moderate use of
the drug with crime either particular or general.
Excess in any intoxicant is likely to lead to
crime.
53. No such case has come under my ex-
perience.
54. I do not know.
56. I have no information on the point.
58 et seq. The present system of excise admi-
nistration in respect to these drugs is, I under-
stand, more or less tentative. It is only within
the past few years the Abkari Department has dealt
with these drugs at all, .and at present our connec-
tion is limited to the licensing of shops for the
sale of the drugs. It is only since the introduction
of the system that it has become possible to form
any estimate of the extent of consumption. I
consider that there would be very great and
serious difficulties in the way of any attempt to
restrict the production of a drug so easily and
widely produced. Hemp drugs are, however, in
my opinion, and I believe in that of the majority
of natives, the most pernicious form of intoxicant,
and the danger of increased use is the greater,
as there is no recognised rule of caste prohibit-
ing it.
Government should, I think, in connection
with its declared policy to enhance the price of
alcoholic and other intoxicants, consider the
danger of thereby driving consumers thereof to
the cheaper and more dangerous preparations of
the hemp drug.
68. I think it is undesirable that shops should
be licensed for consumption of the drug on the
premises.
69. Enquiries are made before a shop is opened
whether there are a large number of consumers
or not in this locality. The demand for the drug
is gauged roughly by the amount offered for the
privilege of exclusive vend. If the amount
offered is small, shops are not licensed. In very
few places would there be any public opinion on
the subject.
70. I have no information.
21. Evidence of MR. H. D. TAYLOR , Manager, Jeypore Estate.
O r a l e v i d e n c e
Question, 1 .—I have been eight years in the
Civil Service. I have been seven and quarter years
in Jeypore, the last four years as Manager. I spend
almost the whole time in camp. For the last four
years I have had nothing to do with the Govern-
ment revenue, only the Jeypore estate revenue.
Question, 59.—I have never seen any cultivation
VOL. VI