4
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. I.
afford opportunities for the levy of blackmail; and in framing regulations for the
prohibition or for the restriction of the use of hemp drugs, these considerations
should be borne in mind.
"If the Commission should be of opinion that the cultivation of the hemp
plant for the production of drugs, or the consumption of any hemp drug, should
be absolutely prohibited, it will be their duty to state the regulations which
should be adopted for this purpose."
Commission's method of inquiry.
4. Under the terms of the Resolution appointing the Commission, they were
directed to assemble in Calcutta on the 1st August
1893. The first collective meeting of the Com-
mission actually took place on the 3rd August 1893. A series of questions was
drawn up by the Commission for distribution to witnesses. The series of ques-
tions was prefaced by an explanatory note, in which it was carefully pointed out
that they were not to be regarded as exhaustive, but were intended rather to serve
as an index to the witnesses as to the subjects to which their attention should be
specially directed. The witnesses were requested not to withhold any information
merely because it was not indicated by any of the questions. They were invited
to give any information which did not appear to fall under any of the questions,
either by appending it as a separate note to the chapter under which it seemed
naturally to fall, or by recording it at the end of the evidence. At the same time,
as the questions were necessarily of wide and general application, it was pointed
out that it was not intended that in every case the witness should answer all of
them, but should confine himself to those questions which dealt with parts of
the subject with which he was more or less acquainted; and, to enable the Com-
mission to estimate the value of the information given, it was requested that the
witness should indicate the source of his information and the facts or experi-
ences on which he based his opinions and statements.
Invitation to persons interested to
lay their views before the Com-
mission.
5. Previous to issuing their series of questions to Local Governments and
Administrations for distribution to witnesses, the Com-
mission had intimated to them that they were anxious
to receive evidence from well-informed persons and representative associa-
tions, whether philanthropic, religious, or social bodies, who desired to see the pre-
paration and sale of ganja and other hemp drugs further restricted or entirely
prohibited, and that it was necessary to give such persons and associations the freest
opportunity of coming forward and laying their views before the Commission. To
enable these persons and associations to place themselves in communication with
the Commission, Local Governments and Administrations were requested to make
it widely known through the Press, or in such other manner as might be suitable,
that the Commission would be glad to receive written statements of their views,
accompanied by an intimation as to whether the writer, or, in the case of an asso-
ciation or public body, a representative, would be willing to appear before the
Commission for oral examination. The Commission themselves also addressed
direct a number of associations and persons who were likely to be interested in
the inquiry, and further communicated to the Press through Local Governments
and Administrations a letter setting forth the wishes of the Commission in respect
to such persons, and intimating, for the information of the public, their proposed
movements and the method of their inquiry.