CH. XIV.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 283

(17) Batuk Bharthy, Superintendent, Kalahandi State.
(66) Rev. Israel Jacob, Missionary.
(68) Rev. Oscar Lohr, Missionary.
(22) Vinayak Balkrishna Khare, Excise Daroga.
(59) Lall Noorpraj Singh, Zamindar.
(47) Mir Imdad Ali, Honorary Magistrate.

(3) Prohibition might lead to use of dhatura or other intoxicants worse than
                                                    ganja.

(1) Mr. Neill, Judicial Commissioner.
(9) Mr. Drake-Brockman, Officiating Excise Commissioner.
(39) Dr. Prentie, Civil Surgeon.
(64) Rao Sahib Balwantrao Govindrao Bhuskute, Jagirdar.

Madras.

Opinions in favour of the prohibi-
tion of ganja.

580. The Madras witnesses in favour of prohibition are a Civil Surgeon,
a subordinate civil officer, a medical practitioner,
a Hindu priest, and six missionaries.

Dr. King (85) says: "The restriction of the sale of ganja under condi-
tions similar to those required for poisonous drugs in Great Britain would be an
unqualified blessing to the country, thus contrasting with the action taken against
opium, which agitation I believe to be unnecessary and mischievous. I consider
special measures should be taken to restrain the use of ganja by sepoys, and
especially to prevent the young sepoy from acquiring the habit." In oral examina-
tion, however, Dr. King stated as follows: "My opinion of the effect of the
moderate use in impairing the moral sense and inducing laziness, etc., is a
general impression and not based on actual observation. My impression is
based on the fact that persons alleged to have been ganja smokers have pre-
sented these characteristics. They were pointed out as notorious ganja
smokers. I did not discriminate in these cases between the moderate and
excessive use."

Syad Mahmud (122) says: "It is an unquestionable fact that ganja, bhang,
and charas are poisons, and this fact is admitted by all. In my opinion their
suppression would be an act of virtue deserving of future reward, but it is not
advisable to suppress their use at once. Its suppression should be regulated
under certain rules without any loss to the State. To the best of my knowledge
and researches, alcohol cannot be safely used as a substitute for ganja, charas,
and bhang."

Rev. Mr. Laflamme (153), speaking on behalf of the Baptist Missionary
Conferences of the Presidency, advocates prohibition in these terms: "Owing to
the scarcity of shops in these parts, practical prohibition exists. Much that is
consumed is consumed illicitly. The introduction of the license system seems
to have had no appreciable effect on the use of the drugs. The ganja is nearly
all grown by the consumers in their own yards." "The drugs should all be so
safeguarded as to prevent or minimize any possible harm resulting from their
abuse." "The general sense of the people is opposed to the use of the drugs."
So far as the witness can gather, the members of the Mission are united in the
belief that in these parts hemp drugs are far less injurious than opium and alcohol;