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63. Evidence of RAO VENKAT RAO, Brahmin, Malguzar, and Political Pensioner,
Saugor.

   1. My answers are based on information which
I have received from other persons; and from
personal knowledge of people who are addicted to
the use of the drugs, and who are known to me.
I was formerly a Tahsildar exercising 2nd class
magisterial powers, and tried many ganja cases
for a period extending over twenty years. Thus
I had ample opportunity for obtaining information
regarding matters connected with hemp drugs.

   The definitions mentioned may be accepted for
this province; but in this province bhang is divid-
ed into two classes, according to quality, viz.,
duba or dudhia and ganjeri. The former is of
superior quality.

   3. The hemp plant does not grow spontaneously
anywhere in this province and hence I am unable
to answer questions Nos. 4, 5 and 6.

   7. The hemp plant is not now cultivated in
these provinces. I cannot therefore give any reply
to questions Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

   13. As far as I know the cultivation of the
hemp plant for ganja is prohibited in all the dis-
tricts of this province.

   14. Ganja, charas and bhang are not prepared
in this province. I am therefore unable to answer
questions Nos. 15, 16 and 17.

   18. Ganja, bhang and charas do deteriorate by
keeping. Their intoxicating effects are lessened
by the keeping, and in two years they are thrown
away as useless. Damp during the rains is the
cause of the deterioration. As a rule no measures
are taken to prevent deterioration.

   19. Ganja is used medicinally. For rheumatism
it is applied as an ointment on the affected part.
In cases of dysentery it is taken internally in small
doses.

   20. Ganja is universally smoked by the bairagis
throughout India, and by all classes of labourers
of the lower castes. About 95 per cent. of the
bairagis and about 50 per cent. of the labouring
classes smoke ganja.

   21. Flat ganja is preferred in this province for
smoking.

   22. Charas is not used in this province,

   23. Bhang is never used for smoking in this
province.

   24. Some people of all classes in this province
eat bhang during the cold weather, and drink it
during the hot season.

   I cannot say what is the proportion of the people
who do so.

   25. In my opinion the use of ganja in this pro-
vince is on the increase, but I am unable to ac-
count for this increase.

   26. I cannot answer this question.

   27. Labourers and persons of low position in
life are addicted to ganja, smoking. Bairagis take
ganja to prevent evil effects of drinking water of
different places. Labourers smoke it as a relief
from the fatigue of labour.

   28. I cannot say.

   29. Dhatura seed is sometimes mixed with
ganja and bhang to increase the intoxicating
effects. I do not know of any bhang massala being
sold.

   30. Ganja and bhang are sometimes used in
company. The use of ganja and bhang is confined
to the male sex. I have never heard of children
being addicted to the use of these drugs.

   31. (a) and (b) The habit of consuming ganja
and bhang is not easily formed, but when once
formed is hard to break off.

   (c) There is a tendency in the case of these
drugs for the moderate habit to develop into the
excessive.

   32. In this province there is no custom, either
religious or social, regarding the consumption of
ganja or bhang.

   33. (a)It is generally regarded as being injurious.

   (b) The public opinion is against the use of
these drugs. The use of these drugs is held in
disrepute because it is injurious to health.

   34. At first it would be felt seriously by the
consumers if they were to forego the use of ganja
or bhang.

   35. It would not be feasible to prohibit the use
of all these drugs at the same time.. If prohibit-
ed, they would be consumed illicitly, The prohi-
bition could be enforced by law. The prohibition
would create discontent among consumers, but
such discontent would not amount to a political
danger. The prohibition would not be followed
by recourse to alcoholic stimulants or other drugs.

   36. There is some reason for thinking that
alcohol is now being substituted to some extent
for these drugs.

I can give no reason for this.

64. Evidence of RAO SAHIB BALWANTRAO GOVINDRAO BHUSKUTE, Brahmin,
Jagirdar of Timborni, Barhanpar, Nimar District.

   1. I have a number of dependents and a large
number of menial servants, a few of whom are
more or less addicted to the use of the hemp drugs;
I have come across several persons who are more
or less addicted to the drugs in question.

   2. Bhang is obtained from the dry leaves of a
species of hemp plant, different from that from
which ganja, is obtained. The definition of charas,
as given by Dr. Prain, may be accepted, so also
the definition of ganja. There are two varieties
of ganja known in these parts, viz., flat ganja and
chur. It is manufactured in the manner indicated
in Dr. Prain's report. Round ganja is unknown in
these parts. The products are known here by
names (1) bhang, (2) charas, and (3) ganja.

   7. There is cultivation of hemp plant in a
village called Bhigava of my estate. It is situated
in the Khandwa tahsil, Nimar district.

   10. The cultivators do not form any particular
class. They are ordinary agriculturists.

   18. Every one of these drugs deteriorates by
keeping. It loses all its effect in time. It keeps
good with ordinary care for about two yeas. The
action of atmosphere causes deterioration.