182
41. I cannot say; but I believe it is used for
purposes (a), (b), and (c).
42. Cannot say.
43. Yes.
44. The effect lasts a few hours and is followed
by increased appetite.
45 and 46. I am unable to answer with con-
fidence.
47 and 48. No.
49 and 50. Unknown.
51 to 55. No.
56 and 57. Not known.
58. There is no effective control. Shop licenses
are sold; but as there is no control of transport or
possession, the control is little more than nominal.
60. There is no cultivation or preperation for
sale.
61. Not produced.0
62. Bhang is not consumed.
65. There is no taxation.
68. No.
69. No ; there are only six shops in the district
(for retail sale, not for consumption on the pre-
mises).
70. As there is no taxation and no control over
import, transport, or possession, there is no
s m u g g l i n g .
13. Evidence of MR. M. HAMMICK, Acting Collector of South Arcot.
1. My knowledge of the subject is very limited.
In the ordinary course of revenue work, I have
not gained a personal knowledge of these drugs
and depend on reports I have received from time
to time.
3 . N o n e .
5 and 6. I do not know.
7. None, as far as I am aware, except scattered
plants here and there in backyards, and perhaps a
very small area on the Javadi Hills.
8. There has been none, as far as I am aware.
9. I cannot give any information on the point.
10. No, I believe not.
11. I am not aware.
12. I am not aware that wild hemp is specially
cultivated.
13. No, the cultivation is not restricted.
14. Yes, for private use and for sale to a small
extent.
15. I am not conversant with the preparation
of these drugs.
16. It is, I believe, locally prepared.
17. Native doctors chiefly, I believe.
18. It, I believe, deteriorates by keeping, but
can be kept some months.
19.
Ganja is, I believe, generally used for
smoking. It is also, I am told, occasionally taken
internally as a medicine.
20. The lower classes, chiefly Muhammadans,
smoke ganja.
21. I do not know.
24. Bhang is, I believe, more costly than ganja,
and not much used.
25. I am not aware, but I am inclined to think
that the consumption may be increasing. But,
if so, it is doing so very slowly.
26. I am not aware.
27. Chiefly wanderers from other parts of India
and the lowest class of Muhammadans. The
better classes use the drug, I believe, as an
aphrodisiac.
28. I am told that a habitual consumer can
get all he wants for one anna a day.
29. Sugar and jaggery ; I do not think
dhatura.
30. Neither females nor children resort to the
drug.
31. I believe the habit is easily formed, and
is difficult to break. Habitual consumers feel the
loss of the drug.
32. I believe these drugs are not used in con-
nection with any religious custom here.
33. Generally public opinion is against the use
of the drug.
34. Local medical opinion is that it would be a
serious privation to consumers to forego the con-
sumption of the drug.
35. I doubt whether it is advisable to try and
stop the consumption of the drug altogether. It
would always be consumed illicitly.
36. The better classes prefer alcohol to these
drugs.
40 The drugs are used as medicines for men
and cattle.
41. I have had no sufficient experience to give
an opinion.
43. It is said so.
44. I do not know.
45 to 54. I have had no sufficient experience to
answer these questions.
55. I cannot remember any cases. But my
impression is that bhang and ganja are used for
criminal purposes. I have seen cases in which
thefts have been perpetrated, probably by means
of the administration of some intoxicating drugs
to the victim.
58. I think the present system is as good as
any can be. If actual prohibition of the uses of
the drug was possible, I should advise it. But I
do not consider that it is advisable or possible.
60. We have no control over cultivation, and I
do not think any necessary in the district.
62. The cultivation is so small here I do not
see any necessity for controlling.
63. I object to the system of sale of shops for
retail vend, but I can suggest no better one short
of prohibition, which I do not believe is possible.
65. We want to get the highest possible
revenue from the drugs with the least consump-
tion. I do not consider the present taxation at
all too high.
66. I do not know enough to give an opinion.
68. None.
69. Local opinion ought to be consulted. But
at present we have only one shop at each taluk
kasbah and one at Porto Novo.
70. No.