209
The sale only is under control. The revenue is
too small to make further restriction important
from a revenue point of view. A restricted posses
-sion will necessitate an increase in the number of
shops and in the preventive establishment. There
is no necessity for such a measure, but I don't
think there is any objection to it beyond what
I have stated above.
30. Evidence of MR. F. LEVY, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Salt and Abkari,
Southern Division.
1. None. The answers below are merely based
on the reports of my subordinates.
2. Ganja appears to be the only kind that is
common in the south of this presidency. The
products referred to appear to be named ganja,
bhang and majum.
3. Seldom grows spontaneously. Said to do so
in some parts of the Calicut and Kurumbranad
taluks of Malabar district, and in the Satyaman-
galam taluk of Coimbatore.
4 . G a n j a s e e m s t o b e t h e o n l y n a m e .
5. Said to flourish on tops of hills and in humid
climates.
6 . S a i d t o b e s c a t t e r e d .
7. Stated to be cultivated in the Wynad for
sale to licensed vendors, and at the foot of the
Western Ghats for private consumption. The
Assistant Commissioners say that in the Negapa-
tam, Erode, and Tinnevelly subdivisions the cul-
tivation is confined to back-yards and gardens, and
is very limited.
8. Nil.
9. Transplanting about July is adopted. The
soil requires to be highly manured. Sheep and
fowls said to be utilized for the purpose. Prun-
ing and propping of the plant is essential.
1 0 . O r d i n a r y r a i y a t s .
11 and 12. Not known.
13. Not restricted. Cultivation as above ( vide
answers to questions 5 and 7). The Erode
Assistant Commissioner suggests that its cultiva-
tion would be impossible in the higher regions of
the Nilgiris.
14. Ganja said to be prepared in the Wynad
and imported into other districts. Bhang stated
to be prepared to an inconsiderable extent in
towns of Madura and Tinnevelly.
15. There is no difference in the methods of
preparation. After being cut and dried, the plant
is exposed to the night dew, and rol!ed up and
heavily weighted during the day until the tips
begin to exude a resinous substance on pressure.
( a) The dried flowers are rubbed into powder
with the fingers and mixed with tobacco.
(b) The flower is soaked in water or cocoanut
milk and then boiled in milk. Butter is then
made from the milk, to which is added sugar and
spices.
(c) Prepared from the dried leaves of the male
hemp plant by being ground into a paste
and dissolved in some liquid—milk or water, with
spices, pepper and ginger.
1 6 . G e n e r a l l y i n p r i v a t e h o u s e s .
17. By those that consume them who are
usually Muhammadans and the lower Sudra castes,
bairagis, saniyasis, etc.
18. Bhang rapidly deteriorates. Ganja if ex-
posed to sun and night dew every two or three
months is said to keep without deteriorating for
two years. Fermentation from damp stated to be
the chief cause of deterioration.
19. Ganja is generally used for smoking.
20. The Erode Assistant Commissioner fixes
the proportion at about 1 to 1,000. As to classes
and localities, vide answers to questions 14 and
17 supra.
21. Flat ganja is preferred.
22. Nil.
23. Nil.
24. The consumers are very few.
25. Thought to be on the increase. No satis-
factory reasons assignable.
26. No information.
27. The labouring classes generally. The prac
- t i c e i s r e s o r t e d t o , t o m i t i g a t e t h e f e e l i n g o f
exhaustion.
28. (a) From ¼ 1 tola.
(6) Up to 3 tolas.
15. Vide answers to question 15 supra.'
16. The general opinion seems to be that it is
consumed in company, and as a rule by adults
only of both sexes. Majum is, however, said to
be given to children to make them sleep.
17. Easy to contract, but difficult to break off
The appetite grows, it would seem, with what it
4e-eds-upon.
18. Nil.
19. The use of the drugs is usually regarded as
vicious. It does not appear that the hemp plant
is worshipped.
20. Generally thought that it would he a
serious privation, especially in the case of the
Moplahs of Malabar. The Erode Assistant Com-
missioner . thinks that habitual consumers, such as
sepoys and bairagis, require the drug as a stimu-
lant to keep them in health and spirits.
21. In the extreme south of the presidency it
is believed that the prohibition would be feasible,
the practice of consuming the drugs being so
limited. Elsewhere it is considered that the
entire prohibition is impracticable, and would
result in illicit consumption. Amony .st the
' ,Mo p lahs it is considered that the prohibition
would result in serious discontent and render a
large increase to the preventive force necessarv.
The prohibition of ganja would probably result
in the increase of the opium consumption.
22. No information.
23. Not known.
3t. Nil.
39. No unanimity of opinion on this point.
40. Yes; by native doctors-not limited to any
particular school. Apparently not used for cattle
disease.
41. Insufficient and unreliable information.
42. There is a consensus of opinion that any
use whatever of the drug is harmful.
43. Inoffensive apart from their disagreeable
smell.
vol. vi.
2 a