226
used for smoking purposes. Their use is, however,
not general. Probably 40 per cent. of the popula-
tion use them.
15. There is no difference in the method of pre-
paration from the cultivated and wild plant. The
plants are cut and dried as they are by exposure to
the sun. When they are well dried, the branches
with their leaves and flowering tops are piled up in
bundles and pressed.
For smoking, take a small quantity of the flower-
ing tops and leaves, place it in the middle of the
palm, add a quantity of water, and rub it well over
with the thumb ; when it is reduced to a pulpy
state sqeeze out the water. This process should
at least be repeated three times. Then add a quan--
tity of tobacco in the proportion of one to two of
bhang, mix it well and then use in a pipe.
16. Bhang is generally prepared in their houses
by the consumers themselves. It can be prepared
from the hemp plant wherever grown. Ganja can
he prepared from wild plants.
17. Usually by those who cultivated it, viz.,
Chetties, Urali Kurumars, Mulla Kurumars, Pathi-
- a n s , K a t u n a i k a r s , T e n k u r u m a r s , e t c .
18. The leaves of the female plant are said to
possess greater narcotic property in them. Bhang
will keep good for about a year, provided it is kept
air tight. After that it gradually loses its power.
Ganja will keep good for a few years, provided
it is periodically exposed to the sun and kept
secure from damp.
19. In this taluk both bhang and ganja are used
for smoking. Latter is also used for eating.
20. Ascetics of all castes smoke ganja and bhang,
also Chetties, Paniers, Kurumars, and a few Mu-
hammadans. Their use is more extensive in the
villages surrounding Sultan's Battery, and also in
Muppeinad and Kottapadiamshoms. About 40 per
cent. of the population use them.
21. The round and chur varieties are preferred.
23. Ye S ; in the villages where the hemp plant
is grown. The cultivating classes smoke it. 40
per cent. of the population use it.
25. The use of ganja and bhang may be said to
be on the increase. In former days, only those
advanced in age indulged in these drugs, but now
the case is different. Bhang is cheaper than other
intoxicants; its consumption is developing.
26. (a) About 50 per cent. fall under the head.
(b) About 20 per cent. fall under the head.
(e)
„
25 ditto ditto
ditto.
(d)
5 ditto ditto
ditto.
27. From the cultivating classes and hill tribes.
The circumstances which mainly lead to the prac--
tice are idleness, mendicancy, and an inclination
for intoxicants.
29. Usually tobacco is used with bhang by ordi-
nary smokers ; but confi rmed smokers add t he
smashed seed Of nux vomica to make it stronger.
30. Bhang is generally used in company by
occasional moderate smokers. Regular smokers
will smoke in solitude when left to themselves.
Habitual excessive smokers prefer solitude to com--
pany for the purpose. Its use is confined to the
male sex. In rare cases children learn the' habit
from their fathers or guardians, who get the pre-
paration made by them.
31. The habit of consuming is easily formed and
difficult to break off. The tendency is always to
develop into taking more and more.
32. No religious or social customs make the
consumption of the drug essentially necessary.
Ascetics use it on the plea that it helps to concen-
trate the mind, and thus enables them to fix their
thoughts wholly upon God.
33. Owing to their known intoxicating proper--
ties and demoralising effects they are generally
regarded in disrepute. The hemp plant is not
worshipped by any class of people.
34. Habitual consumers would regard' it as a
serious privation to forego the consumption of the
drug they use, for in its absence they are apt to
become restless, with no inclination for work, com-
bined with a gradual loss of appetite.
35. If the use of the drugs is to be prohibited,
the cultivation of the hemp plant must be made
penal. Then the wild plant will be resorted to,
and illicit consumption would largely prevail. Of
course, the prohibition would cause serious discon-
- t e n t a m o n g t h e h a b i t u a l c o n s u m e r s ; b u t n o t h i n g
approaching a political danger. The prohibition
is likely to be followed by recourse to alcoholic
stimulants and opium.
36. Alcohol is not substituted for ganja or bhang,
as it is more expensive.
51. A large proportion of bad characters are not
habitual moderate consumers of these drugs. The
moderate use of these drugs has not been known to
have any connection with crime in general or with
crime of any special character.
52. The excessive use of any of these drugs tends
to render the consumer dull and stupid and incap-
able of bringing his mind to bear upon the subject
of committing any crime.
53. No ; no case is known to have occurred in
which the excessive indulgence in any of these
ugs has led to temporary homicidal frenzy.
54. No such instance has come to light ; but it
is quite possible that criminals may use the drugs
just before they set out on an errand of violence or
crime in order to fortify themselves in the perform-
ance of their dastardly deed.
55. No instances have come to notice. None of
these drugs can by itself cause complete stupefac--
tion ; but if they are mixed with dhatura, it
is said that complete stupefaction will ensue after
the same has been partaken.
60. There is no control whatever over the culti-
vation of the ganja-bearing plant or in the process
of the preparation of ganja.
62. I do not think that it will be feasible to
control the cultivation of the plant, more especially
as it is not grown here to any large extent. It is
found scattered here and there, a few plants being
the most that can be found in any one house com--
pound.
63. There is no system of wholesale or retail
vend of these drugs or their preparations in this
taluk.
6 4 . N o s u c h r e g u l a t i o n s e x i s t h e r e ,