120
ally used to give ganja a more intoxicating effect
. Bhang massala is unknown here.
30. It is not usual for children to consume
these drugs.
31. The habit of smoking ganja is easily formed
and is difficult to break off. There is a tendency
for the moderate habit to develop into the exces-
- s i v e , b u t t h i s i s b y n o m e a n s a n a t u r a l r e s u l t .
32. There is no custom here, social or religious,
in regard to the consumption of the drug.
33. The habitual consumer of the drug is
generally regarded as degraded and not much
trust or confidence can be reposed in such a
person.
34. To the habitual consumer the foregoing of
the drug would be a serious privation, as his
health would suffer thereby and he would lose his
energy, appetite, and digestion.
35. It would not, in my opinion, be practicable
to prohibit the use of ganja. It would lead to
much discontent and means would be found to
obtain and consume it illicitly. I cannot say the
discontent would amount to a political danger.
The prohibition would, in some cases, probably be
followed by a recourse to alcoholic stimulants, or
other drugs.
36. No.
38. The smoking of ganja is said to have a longer
lasting intoxicating effect than the other two.
40. Is sometimes prescribed by native doctors
as a febrifuge and for dysentery; also for cattle
or horses having colds.
41. Those who use it appear to think that the
moderate use of ganja has beneficial effects as a
digestive. The use is not restricted to any parti--
cular class.
42. The moderate use of ganja does not appear
to be altogether harmless. It seems to produce
coughs, and a weakening tendency if consumed
habitually.
43.Yes.
44. It appears to produce a sort of pleasant
intoxication. It does not allay hunger but
promotes it. After the intoxication stage, which
lasts generally from three to seven hours, the
consumer feels languid and dull. The want of
subsequent gratification produces desire for it.
45. The habitual moderate use of ganja and
bhang appears to impair the constitution and
produce chest affections. It induces laziness, and
probably impairs to some extent the moral sense.
It probably deadens the intellect, but I have no
personal knowledge of any instance where it
produced insanity.
46. The habitual excessive use of the drug
might probably eventually produce insanity.
47. No.
49. Prostitutes sometimes use the drug to pro
-duce a mild intoxicating effect. The use of hemp
is said to produce impotency.
51 and 52. No.
53. I can recall no case in which it has led to
temporary homicidal frenzy.
54. I have never heard of such use being made
of it by criminals.
55. Such instances are not known in this
district.
56. By the admixture of dhatura intoxication
is increased, and decreased by mixing with tobacco.
57. Neither ganja nor charas is eaten or drunk
here.
63 and 64. No.
68. There are thirty-four shops in this district
having licenses to sell ganja.
56. Evidence of MAJOR T. R. M. MACPHERSON, District Superintendent of Police,
Poona.
1. None in particular.
2. Dr. Prain's definitions may be accepted for
this district. Each of the products is locally
known by the same names.
7. Hemp is cultivated in a few places in the
Indapur, Shirur, and Khed talukas of this dis--
trict. Charas is not used here. The other pro--
ducts are collected.
10. They form no special class, but are the
ordinary agricultural cultivators.
13. The cultivation is not restricted to any par
-ticular part of this district.
14. Ganja and bhang are prepared in the Inda
-pur, Shirur, and Khed talukas.
17. There is no special class.
18. They do deteriorate. They keep good for
about two years. Damp is the chief cause of
deterioration.
21. Flat ganja is preferred for smoking.
22. 22. It is not generally used in this district.
23. It is not used for smoking.
30. The consumption of these drugs is chiefly
confined to the male sex.
35. (a) No,
(b) It would be consumed illicitly.
(c) It could not be enforced.
(d) Yes.
(e) Possibly.
( f ) Probably to both, if the prohibition could
be enforced.
43. Yes.
51. (a) No.
(b) No connection whatever.
53. It is said to. No.
I know of no case.
68. There are licensed shops.
69. No ; the wishes of the people are not con
-sulted before opening shops.