200
is an after stage. The duration of its effects
depends upon the dose and nature of the prepara-
tion. They may last from three or six or even ten
hours. The after-effects are general weakness of
the body and mind. The want of subsequent
gratification produces an uneasy sensation.
45.
I can give no satisfactory reply to this
question, as I have not studied the effects of the
use of the drugs in any particular cases. I
believe that their habitual moderate use induces
a habit of laziness.
46. The effects of the excessive use of ganja
are said to resemble delirium tremens, resulting
from excessive indulgence in alcohol. The first
indication of the, activity of the drug is a child-
like gaiety and tendency to find comical resem
- b l a n c e s a n d c o n t r a s t s i n t h e s u r r o u n d i n g o b j e c t s .
A phase of pleasant humour and urbanity suc-
ceeds this state of feeling, and is followed by an
interval of tranquil rationality, which is a pre
- l u d e t o f u r t h e r e x c i t e m e n t . N o i n s t a n c e o f f a t a l
poisoning by this drug has been heard of.
47 and 48. The use of hemp drugs does not
seem to be a hereditary habit, nor does it seem to
affect the children of the moderate consumer.
49. Prostitutes are said to resort occasionally
to the use of the drug as an aphrodisiac.
53, 54. and 55. As to whether excessive use of
ganja necessarily prompts men to violent crime
opinions differ widely. While it is maintained by
one side that violent crimes have been traced to
excessive indulgence in hemp preparations, the
other contends that even a moderate use of the
drug produces a sense of lassitude and laziness,
which is evidently not a predisposition to acts of
violence. Chevers remarks that it is a matter of
popular notoriety, both in Bengal and the North-
Western Provinces, that persons intoxicated with
ganja are liable to commit acts of homicidal
violence. In some cases of homicide, committed
or alleged to have been committed, while under
the influence of cannabis, one person only has been
attacked. Usually, however, the victims are
numerous, the ease assuming the form known as
"running amok." Commonly when acts of
homicidal violence are committed while under the
influence of an intoxicant, some motive is traceable
for the crime. It may be a motive which existed
previous to the intoxication or one which comes into
existence subsequent to the commencement of the
intoxication. In the former case, it may be sup
-posed that the intoxicant is taken by the criminal
with the object of nerving himself for the deed.
The criminal statistics show, however, that the
amount of crime, violent or otherwise, which can
be traced to the use of hemp is exceedingly small,
It is probable that any latent propensity to crime
may be developed by the habitual consumption of
the narcotic; but it is exceedingly unlikely that a
continued habit of the use of the drug will create
a propensity to crime in men who are constitu
- t i o n a l l y a v e r s e t o a c t s o f v i o l e n c e . I f s t a n d a r d
historical works are to be believed, a drink of
bhang makes the native soldier reckless of life.
In the account of the defence of Arcot, for instance,
the most formidable attack which was repulsed
was made during the Moharram, at a time when
the Nawab's soldiers were primed with bhang.
56 and 57. No information is forthcoming.
58, 59 and 60. The system of administration
prevalent in this presidency in respect of hemp
drugs has been described in reply to question 8.
The system is, I consider, working well. To
obtain accurate information as to where and to
what extent the hemp plant is cultivated, and the
ganja and bhang manufactured thereform are con
- s u m e d o r t r a n s p o r t e d f o r c o n s u m p t i o n , i t i s h i g h l y
desirable that a correct record of cultivation and
of sales to the public should be kept. The retail
vend of ganja has been brought under regulation
only since 1889, no restrictions having keen impos
- e d u p o n t h e c u l t i v a t i o n a n d p o s s e s s i o n o f g a n j a .
As yet the information available is of too indefinite
and uncertain a character to justify the introduc
-tion of any stringent repressive measures or the
adoption of any elaborate system of administra
-tion in regard to hemp drugs. The traffic in hemp
drugs may, I think, be left as it is for the present
and the results watched, no restrictions being
placed upon this cultivation of the plant and pos
-session of ganja by cultivators. Cultivators should
not, however, be allowed to soil their stock to
others than licensed persons, or to transport it to
other districts. or provinces without a permit issued.
by an authorized officer. To obtain a more inti
-mate and accurate knowledge of the subject, it
seems desirable to adopt such measures as are cal
-culated to involve a minimum of Government
interference and friction. At present so little is
known of the subject that it is impossible to say
with any degree of certainty as to what may be
the best method of treatment. It seems, there-
fore, better to continue the present system with
the modifications above indicated.
62. and 63. Vide reply to questions 58 to 60.
64. and 65. None.
66. In the present stale of affairs it is not
desirable to have differential rates of taxation.
67. I have none.
68. There are no licensed shops where con
-sumption is permitted on the premises.
69.
The wishes of the people are not consulted
before a shop is opened in any locality. It seems
hardly necessary that public opinion should be
consulted before a shop is sanctioned or opened.
If the people take objection, their objection will
always be given due consideration.
70. There does not seem to be any importa-
tion or smuggling of hemp drugs from, the Native
States.
24. Evidence of MR. E. L. VAUGHAN, Acting Sub-Collector, Dindigul.
1. Only general observation and opinion formed
by consulting various officers in my division.
2. The only variety in use is the flat ganja,
and the shopkeepers of Dindigul and Palni get
their supplies from Trichy, and the shopkeepers of
Periyakolam from Madura.
3 to 6. No information can be given.
7. Two varieties of hemp plants, vi z. , pi l i chai
(Bombay hemp) and shanal (Linem hemp), are
cultivated in all the three taluks to a limited ex
- t e n t f o r t h e i r f i b r e . T h e v i l l a g e s i n w h i c h t h e y
are grown are—(1) Korikadavu, (2) Akkavaipatti,
(3) Manur in Palni Taluk. (1) Tennampatti,
(2) Nathapatti, (3) Marumithu, (4) Athur, (5) San
-galipathi in Dindigul taluk. Very little indeed
i s g r o w n i n t h e d i v i s i o n .