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What Are The Streets Saying? Salvia Divinorum

“I never experienced anything in its natural state that was as shocking as salvia divinorum.”

-Jim Woodring

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to talk about a product that I tried many years ago, Salvia Divinorum. It was a legal hallucinogenic that I only used a couple of times. I’ve always been a willing participant at using substances. But when I smoked Salvia for the first time, it only happened two or three more times, because I got more than I had bargained for. Sit tight while I explain this substance and its effects.

Salvia Divinorum is a plant that is in the sage family and is harvested for its psychoactive substances. It is native to Southwest Mexico. Names given for the plant are “maria pastora”, “seer’s sage”, “yerba de la pastora” or “magic mint.” The active ingredient is salvinorin A. And it is considered a structurally unique diterpenoid and is a potent k-opioid agonist. The effects come on very rapidly and quickly dissipate. Historically, it’s been used by shamans in spiritual healing ceremonies. It can induce a dissociative state or hallucinations. 

Ok. Yes, I have tried salvia several times and I can tell you that it was the worst hallucinogenic experience that I have ever had. I actually tried it when I spotted it in a head shop in Florida in about 2008. However, in 2007 reports on the internet began showing  videos of teens using the drug which, in one case, led to suicide.

Mel and I took it back to the motel where we were staying. The employee had told me that whatever I do, do not freak out. Maybe that should’ve been my first clue that this wouldn’t turn out good. But in typical “Dana” fashion, I got excited as I plan to take a big rip like do when smoking weed. The taste of the smoke is horrible. But I was literally excited because I was about to try a “legal” hallucinogenic. I used acid several times in high school. But salvia, is another kind of monster.

I got my pipe filled and ready to go. I took a small toke to begin with just to taste it. . I think it would’ve tasted better had I grabbed a tootsie roll from the litter box and smoked it. I remember saying, “These tastes horrible but it’s doing nothing.” Remember, the blog about cannabis edibles? And how my downfall was making that statement prematurely. Well, the same thing happened with salvia. 

I rared back and planned my choking strategy as I take a “man size” hit. I choked my ass of and said, “I’m so disappointed. This is a waste of…….Oh shit! Oh shit! AHHHHH!” Mel said, “What’s wrong?” I said, “I puked on that guy at the party!” She said, “Dana, what are you talking about? You have not been to a party.” I also said something about seeing frogs coming out of the wall. She kept telling me, “It won’t last long. Just stay put and wait for the effects to stop.” I did and I made it through the experience. There is absolutely no way that I could’ve driven a car. And I can promise you that I have a history of driving impaired in my much younger days. It was not a pleasant experience. The hallucinogenic effects were not like those of LSD. It was much worse. 

I can totally see why it’s not a substance with abuse. There is no way that people can use that and get addicted to it. That plant needs one thing. Not fire but Roundup! I tried it a couple of more times just to see if maybe it was something that’s an acquired taste in some way. Uh-no I never acquired anything. It was just as bad as the first time. So, I never used it again.

In the United States, an amendment recommending Salvia Divinorum as Schedule 1 at the federal level was proposed in 2002. But it did not pass. Opposition to the proposed bill was argued that medicinal research could not be done for potential medical benefits. Even though it’s not regulated under the Controlled Substances Act it has been made illegal in thirteen states. And countries all over the world have varying legislation as well. 

I my opinion, Salvia Divinorum, should be illegal. This is not a safe plant that can be used by teens or irresponsible adults. If someone tried to drive while on this substance, they could kill someone. If you have ever been curious about the substance, you aren’t missing anything pleasant. It’s much safer to smoke weed instead.

I hope that I have provided you with some useful information about this plant. Whatever you do, discourage use of this product if anyone tells you that they use it. Most people who try it won’t try it again. So, I don’t worry about the potential abuse. Stay safe. Stay informed. And keep reading!

Affirmation: I am learning from this mistake and growing stronger.

***Don’t forget to watch the video***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

What Are The Streets Saying? Head Shops vs. Smoke Shops

“It’s 420 somewhere.”

-Unknown

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Okie dokie! Today, I want to talk to you about the differences in head shops and smoke shops. There is a noticeably significant difference. Some people refer to these types of businesses as the same. They are not.

First of all, we need to discuss why they are called “Head Shops.” The term was actually used during the ‘sixties in the U.S. It was based off a statement people used at that time called “getting your head right.” And more specifically among pot heads. While most headshops today carry a variety of products. Initially head shops only carried a few pipes, bongs, rolling papers. And as you can discern the products and interior of the shops specified cannabis culture. They also eccentric records, psychedelic posters and books consistent with the hippie movement. These types of smoking products were considered illegal paraphernalia and had to be concealed. 

When I was much younger there was a local headshop that I used to frequent that was run by two old hippies. And it was the coolest store that really catered to local hippies and the cannabis culture. I loved to go look around especially in the dark room that was draped with a beaded curtain. They had some really impressive psychedelic posters complete with the rich smell of pachouli incense burning. As the shop owners aged, the shop was eventually closed. 

It wasn’t until I became a medical cannabis patient that I began to seriously look at the products in these types of stores. There was nothing better than going in a looking at the new glass pieces and other smoking accessories. I would eventually learn about dab rigs and cannabis concentrates. I had no idea that bongs were actually called “water pipes.” I went inside and asked the employees where the bongs were located. They said, “You can’t use that term because it refers to paraphernalia. We sale “water pipes” used to smoke tobacco.” I told them, “Well, I’ve never heard them called anything but a bong.” At that point, I was asked to leave. I had no idea what had just transpired. Apparently, using the term “water pipe” was the loophole in the law regarding legal paraphernalia. And you could not even mention terms like “bongs” and still be allowed to continue shopping.

What I would eventually learn is how many “designer drugs” were being sold out of those stores. I was thinking the whole time, I could’ve gotten myself in a lot more trouble with addiction had I realized what all types of products were sold at some. I also realized that I had to learn about everything that were being sold legally because of that loophole. I will cover some of those dangerous substances in future blog posts.

The modern head shops are now able to release a lot of those anxieties about selling cannabis culture items. The main reason is that the stigmas about smoking marijuana have largely dissipated with the legalization of both medical and recreational cannabis. However, there are still dangerous substances that continue to be sold to teens who have absolutely no idea what some of those substances contain nor the damage they can do. I am in no way demonizing head shops. I personally still love going shopping in them and looking at the newest products. And I have bought several items that compliment my personal cannabis use.

Smoke shops are businesses that sell tobacco and accessories for smoking tobacco. These include cigars, cigarettes, pipes, loose tobacco, hookah accessories, e-cigarettes and e-liquids. Smoke shops have to abide by state and federal regulations regarding tobacco sales. Which include not selling tobacco or related products to customers under the age of twenty-one. 

When it comes to 420 celebrations, headshops are the way to go. But as a word of caution, do your own research about products that you hear are the newest fads. Most of the time the rigorous testing that is required to sell medical or recreational cannabis is not required on “designer drugs.” So, you never quite know what companies are actually using to enhance the psychoactive substances that are in the products. The smoking accessories that I’ve bought are not included in the dangers. It’s the substances that are not regulated that carrying the sometimes-devastating dangers unknown to the public. When all else fails, buy your cannabis from a reputable dispensary. And then go home and get faded in the safety of your home.

“The true face of smoking is disease, death and horror-not the glamour and sophistication the pushers in the tobacco industry try to portray.”

-David Byrne

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife