107
and cardamom are mixed with bhang. By mixing
milk to ghota dudhia is prepared. The spices are
hot substances, and, with a view to give heat to
the body, they are mixed with bhang. I do not
know anything about the preparation called bhang
massala.
30. A smoker of ganja would prefer to smoke
in company if a smoker friend or two happen to
be near him. If not, he will smoke in solitude.
Ghota and dudhia are drinks which would mostly
be consumed in company. By previous appoint--
ment there would be a company of friends at a
particular place, when the ghota or dudhia would
be prepared and drunk. Ganja is generally smok
- e d b y p e r s o n s o v e r t h e a g e o f t w e n t y - f i v e u p t o
any time in advanced life. Similarly ghota and
dudhia are drunk by males of like age. Children
do not consume any of these drugs.
31. A habit of consuming any of these drugs is
easily formed, and it is difficult to break it off.
There is a tendency of the habit to develop into
the excessive.
32. There are no customs, social or religious, in
regard to the consumption of any of these drugs.
33. The consumption and use of all or any of
these drugs is regarded with contempt and di
s-repute by the public. People hold this opinion,
I think, on account of the bad effects the drugs
possess over the consumers. None of the people
worship the hemp plant.
34. In my opinion it would not be a serious
privation to any class of consumers to forego the
consumption of the drug they use, because there
are instances of men who used to smoke ganja
before, but who have since left off smoking.
35. It would be feasible to prohibit the use of
the three drugs and their preparations. The pr
o - h i b i t i o n m u s t e x t e n d t o N a t i v e S t a t e s a l s o , t h a t
there may not be any chance of the drugs being
smuggled and used in this district. For the pro
- h i b i t i o n t o b e e n f o r c e d e i t h e r t h a t t h e c u l t i v a t i o n
of the ganja plant should stop altogether, or that
heavy duties should be levied immediately the
ganja is manufactured. The prohibition would
not cause any serious discontent amongst the
consumers. It would not cause any political
danger. The prohibition would not be followed
by recourse to alcoholic stimulants or other drugs.
36. I do not think that alcohol is now being to
any extent substituted for any of the three drugs.
37. As charas smoking is so very rare in this
district, the difference between the effects of ganja
and charas smoking cannot be stated.
38. Only flat ganja is known in this district.
So the difference in the effects between it and the
round and chur ganja cannot be stated.
39. I cannot answer this question.
40. Ganja is used in making a massala for
horses.
41 and 42. I cannot answer these questions.
43. Moderate consumers of ganja and bhang
are inoffensive to their neighbours.
44. The immediate effect of moderate ganja
smoking on the habitual smoker is that it is re
- f r e s h i n g . I t p r o d u c e s i n t o x i c a t i o n a n d c r e a t e s
appetite. The effect lasts for about an hour, and
after that time there is a depression of mind.
The want of subsequent smoking produces u
n - e a s i n e s s .
45 and 46. I cannot answer these.
47. The habitual moderate use of ganja does
not appear to be a hereditary habit. It does not
vol. vii.
affect in any way the children of the moderate
consumer.
48. I cannot answer this.
49. Moderate ganja smoking does not produce
any desire for sexual intercourse. Prostitutes
smoke ganja ; but I do not know whether they do
so as an aphrodisiac. The use of ganja tends to
produce impotence. Ghota and dudhia are used
in Guzerat by males as an aphrodisiac.
50 to 53. I cannot answer these questions.
54. Ganja or bhang is not used by criminals to
fortify themselves to commit a premeditated act
of violence or other crime.
55 and 56. I cannot answer these.
57. Ganja and charas are not known to be eaten
or drunk in this district.
58. The present system of excise administration
works well and does not require any improve
- m e n t .
59. No improvement necessary.
60. Ganja is produced in this district, and the
ganja plants and the ganja itself are sufficiently
under control, and no modification in the system
appears to be necessary.
61. Charas is not produced in this district.
62. There is no cultivation in this district of
the hemp plant for production of bhang, as bhang
is nothing but the powdered dust and leaves of
ganja produced by a handling of the ganja.
63. I have no objection to the present system
of wholesale and retail vend of ganja. Charas is
not sold at all. Bhang is not sold wholesale. It
is sold retail. I have no objection against its
system of retail vend.
64. I have no objection to the existing regula
- t i o n s g o v e r n i n g t h e e x p o r t a n d i m p o r t o f g a n j a
from and into Satara or its transport within the
province, excepting that all ganja for export and
transport should be taken for examination, pre
-vious to removal to its destination, to the mamlat
- d a r ' s o f f i c e o f t h e t a l u k a t o w h i c h t h e v i l l a g e
whence the ganja is removed belongs. Charas
and bhang are not exported from or imported into
or transported within the Satara district.
65. With reference to alcoholic and other in
- t o x i c a n t s g a n j a i s l i g h t l y t a x e d ; b u t a s i t i s
principally used by poor people, no change with a
view to increase the duty would be desirable.
Charas is not sold at all, and bhang is sold retail
along with ganja.
66. I have not seen round or " broken " ganja,
and so I cannot say whether there should be one
uniform rate or different rates of taxation for
different kinds of ganja.
67. I have no objection to propose to the pre
- s e n t m e t h o d o f t a x i n g g a n j a a n d b h a n g , c h a r a s
not being. sold.
68. There are no houses or shops in this district
licensed for the sale of ganja and bhang, where
the purchasers are permitted to consume the drugs
on the premises. I am of opinion that there
should not be such houses or shops.
69. The wishes of the people are partly con
-sidered before a shop is opened in any locality.
Immediately an application for the opening of a
shop is received, it is enquired into by the mam
-latdar of the taluka to which the place where the
shop is intended to be opened is subordinate and
reported on to the Collector, with whom the final
decision rests. Local public opinion should al
-ways be considered.
R 2