390
ments or social reformers should explain to the
people the real effects of the drug.
65. Taxation, as heavy as possible, is reason-
able and necessary with reference to ( a) and ( b),
for that will clearly show that the Government
does not encourage any such drug or any other
spirit, but at the same time does not wish to wound
the feelings of its subjects by prohibiting them
or countenancing any use of such drugs by freeing
them from taxation or putting any indirect res-
trictions upon them. It would be the best and
most healthy policy of the Government to impose
the heaviest possible tax on the most consumed
kind of the drug. If ganja is most consumed in
a special locality, there the tax should be heavy.
Where there is no great consumption, there may
be moderate taxation. Anyhow, there should be
taxation, heavy or low, in all localities.
67. I shall not object even if the consumer be
taxed more than at present.
68. There is a shop in our town. I have no-
thing to say against it. The shopkeeper does not
induce anybody.
69. It is good that the local opinion be sought
and the smoking rooms be kept as open and public
as possible. The shop in our town ought to be
more public and more opens to public view.
164. Evidence of K. VEMATASOOBIAH, Veishya, Trader and Pleader, District
Munsiff's Court, Cuddapah.
1. A shareholder of mine had taken the ganja
farm of this taluk three years ago. The facts
brought to my notice then, and my own observa-
tions when I had been to Gendicota, in the Jam-
malamadugu taluk, occasionally to my relation's
house, and my enquiries of persons who actually
use the drug, have enabled me to answer some of
the questions.
2. These definitions cannot be accepted for this
district. Two varieties are sold in this district,
called nur ganja and mathy ganja, the former
being male and the latter female. Female ganja
is not however grown, so far as my knowledge
goes, in this district, but is imported from Bez-
wada, Kurnool, and other districts. This is also
known by the name kasy (graft) ganja.
7. ( a) Yes.
(c ) Yes.
In villages of Jummalamadugu and Cuddapah
taluks ; but not to a very great extent.
8. There has been some decrease in the area
under cultivation, the sole reason being that the
produce, which is not very considerable, to be
exported does not sell at a profitable rate locally.
9. The cultivation of the plant generally re-
sembles raggi cultivation.
10. The same classes as other agricultural cul-
tivators.
11. Not so far as my information goes.
13. The cultivation does not seem to have been
restricted. The plant cannot be cultivated in
saltish (chowdu) soils.
14. Ganja and bhang are prepared in this dis-
trict from hemp plant to some extent.
15. I know nothing of the wild plant. From
the cultivated plant (A) the flowering tops (known
as kully locally) are rubbed in the hand with
water till the green colour is removed and then
mixed with tobacco. This is the preparation used
for smoking. (B) After undergoing the process for
removing the green colour, it is mixed with pepper
and dry ginger and made into balls. There is
another preparation called majum for eating.
Leaves or kullies are boiled in water, fried in a
pan, and reduced to powder. This powder is
mixed with jaggery syrup and made into balls.
(C) The kullies and leaves are boiled in water
and washed till the green colour is removed ; then
grounded with poppy seeds, pepper, and dry
ginger, mixed with sugar and some plantains by
some people and filtered. The essence is mixed
with milk and used for drinking. This is what is called bhang. If however only pepper and
dry ginger are used, the preparation is called
subji.
16. YYes; it is prepared in houses.
17. By Musalmans in this district, but some
vagabonds, called bairagis, seem to make the pre-
parations and use them.
18. Yes ; it is said the preparations lose their
effect if kept for some time. Bhang can be kept
in good order for half an hour and ganja for
quarter of an hour. But majum, mentioned in
15th question, can be kept for a number of days.
19. Refer to the answer to the 15th question.
My answers refer only to Cuddapah district.
20. In this district Musalmans smoke ganja.
21. In this district round or chur ganja, called
baluchur, is preferred for smoking.
24. In this district only Musalmans mostly eat
or drink ganja or bhang.
27. Their habits are dilatory.
28. (a) One pie each time, i.e., quarter of an
anna a day.
(b) Six times the cost.
30. A number of idlers consume more in com-
pany than in solitude. It is generally confined
to the adult male sex generally above sixteen
years of age.
31. One addicted to it will not, I have observed,
break it off.
33. From the fact that people addicted to the
use of the drug are ashamed to confess it, it is
deducible that they look upon it as no virtue, and
from my own observation of the consumers I have
been able to gather that people have recourse to
the drug as a luxury.
35. It is necessary to see that people do not
take to this drug ; but ordinary prohibition may
induce the consumer to illicit means. Besides the
people in this district, who, I believe, are harmless,
I have had occasion to observe many irresponsible
and responsible persons in the North-Western
Provinces are addicted to the use of the drug, and
it has to be considered if the prohibition is likely
to occasion serious discontent amongst them. I
believe there is no room for an inference that the
prohibition is necessarily followed by recourse to
alcoholic stimulants, etc.
39. It is said that smoking is more injurious
than eating, which is, however, more injurious
than drinking on account of the admixtures.