Comments on: The Spice of Life http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/ What Is The Third Estate? Everything. What Has It Been Until Now In The Political Order? Nothing. What Does It Want To Be? Something. Tue, 22 May 2012 04:47:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: mudgard http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-10680 mudgard Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:53:15 +0000 http://thethirdestate.net/?p=1577#comment-10680 I am 51 years old. Have smoked pot since I was 15 years old...except for my 22 year stint in the USAF. Since I have retired, I have enjoyed the occasional use of it. I do not or have not had any desire to use anything else. Frankly put, I like the buzz from weed. I do not require anything else, nor want anything else. You would think that by now I would have! Thus, the excuse that it could or will be a gateway drug is a moot point for me. For others, well, that is a matter of choice. Just like anything else. Why don't we just leave it at that and let us that prefer weed to anything else enjoy it? I am 51 years old. Have smoked pot since I was 15 years old…except for my 22 year stint in the USAF. Since I have retired, I have enjoyed the occasional use of it. I do not or have not had any desire to use anything else. Frankly put, I like the buzz from weed. I do not require anything else, nor want anything else. You would think that by now I would have! Thus, the excuse that it could or will be a gateway drug is a moot point for me. For others, well, that is a matter of choice. Just like anything else. Why don’t we just leave it at that and let us that prefer weed to anything else enjoy it?

]]> By: Rob http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-9962 Rob Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:49:41 +0000 http://thethirdestate.net/?p=1577#comment-9962 Calling David Raynes a faggot does nothing but prove the nay-sayers right while bringing light to our own bigotry as well. Regardless,this is a debate concerning drug legalization. I would think one would be hard-pressed to those who support the current laws as is. I think that I wouldn't be out of line to suspect that the hard-line Republicans who believe in personal liberty being important,would be in favor of legalization as well. If they buy into their libertarian old-school America fairytales of "small government" then I can't think of one much bigger concerning these laws.Sure,it may be dangerous but so are guns and you ain't gonna "pry them from their cold dead fingers",just like you won't take drugs from the user who wants them. Then there's you liberal lefties who want to reform EVERYTHING,save the planet with a passed bill give to the downtrodden and looking at the plights of all. If they believe drug addiction is a disease like the AMA and 99% of the psychiatric community do, then it should not be a criminal matter,then they should support legalisation as well. Treatment,not punishment. Should we lock-up those with cancer,suffering with AIDS or something neurological and obvious like Parkinsons just because they have an illness,should we? To follow the medical tendency for compassion,ultimately ends with the same sobering reaity,the obvious absence of any crime. One could argue that the crimes commited by users are just that, a crime,but if they had accessability to the substance they wanted,they'd have no interest in what's yours. So who does that leave us with? The drug users themselves. If some deal then they'll lose their hard-earned loot because of it,drugs will become obtainable but more than likely watched by one or more of the 3 letter organizations of our government. To be frank,this will render everything of shitty 'Bud-Lite' quality...leading to more kitchen labs and grow-ops. More than likely we'll just keep doing what we do,sitting on our asses and getting fucked up. Its up to us what we do with our bodies,up to us how we trample our souls but it's also up to us to put an end to the bullshit. You can't find many issues that are more bipartisan than this. The DEA,FBI,ATF and thousands of narcotics units across the US have turned the inner-city,the suburbs,the rural mid-west and sunny left coast into a police state. Our rights are violated and disregarded more to "fight drugs" than for homeland security. The human instinct for altered states of conciousness will always continue,you can educate others who don't know the consequences of what can come to be but to try and stop what comes instinctively to concious beings is about as futile as trying to cure hunger. The only side to this debate you're rehashing and beaten that much "deader" than it already was,is US against THEM. THEM being the pharmaceutical corporations,recovery/intervention industry,law-enforcement,narco-terrorists and corrupt officials on our borders within and beyond. They profit from the suffering of others,and try hard to continue to profit more. They leech off the poor,the neighborhoods affected and the child who's parent has gone lost. If you do not consider yourself one of those who do gain monetarily then you to are US. It's really quite that simple...if you don't want Uncle Sam doling out your sugar and calorie uptake hen don't stand for him to forcibly use his will and all-mighty legislative powers by playing God(or doctor)by telling us what we do with our bodies as long as it bears no harm to another. Calling David Raynes a faggot does nothing but prove the nay-sayers right while bringing light to our own bigotry as well.
Regardless,this is a debate concerning drug legalization.
I would think one would be hard-pressed to those who support the current laws as is. I think that I wouldn’t be out of line to suspect that the hard-line Republicans who believe in personal liberty being important,would be in favor of legalization as well. If they buy into their libertarian old-school America fairytales of “small government” then I can’t think of one much bigger concerning these laws.Sure,it may be dangerous but so are guns and you ain’t gonna “pry them from their cold dead fingers”,just like you won’t take drugs from the user who wants them.
Then there’s you liberal lefties who want to reform EVERYTHING,save the planet with a passed bill give to the downtrodden and looking at the plights of all. If they believe drug addiction is a disease like the AMA and 99% of the psychiatric community do, then it should not be a criminal matter,then they should support legalisation as well. Treatment,not punishment. Should we lock-up those with cancer,suffering with AIDS or something neurological and obvious like Parkinsons just because they have an illness,should we? To follow the medical tendency for compassion,ultimately ends with the same sobering reaity,the obvious absence of any crime.
One could argue that the crimes commited by users are just that, a crime,but if they had accessability to the substance they wanted,they’d have no interest in what’s yours.
So who does that leave us with?
The drug users themselves. If some deal then they’ll lose their hard-earned loot because of it,drugs will become obtainable but more than likely watched by one or more of the 3 letter organizations of our government. To be frank,this will render everything of shitty ‘Bud-Lite’ quality…leading to more kitchen labs and grow-ops.
More than likely we’ll just keep doing what we do,sitting on our asses and getting fucked up.
Its up to us what we do with our bodies,up to us how we trample our souls but it’s also up to us to put an end to the bullshit. You can’t find many issues that are more bipartisan than this. The DEA,FBI,ATF and thousands of narcotics units across the US have turned the inner-city,the suburbs,the rural mid-west and sunny left coast into a police state. Our rights are violated and disregarded more to “fight drugs” than for homeland security.
The human instinct for altered states of conciousness will always continue,you can educate others who don’t know the consequences of what can come to be but to try and stop what comes instinctively to concious beings is about as futile as trying to cure hunger.

The only side to this debate you’re rehashing and beaten that much “deader” than it already was,is US against THEM. THEM being the pharmaceutical corporations,recovery/intervention industry,law-enforcement,narco-terrorists and corrupt officials on our borders within and beyond. They profit from the suffering of others,and try hard to continue to profit more. They leech off the poor,the neighborhoods affected and the child who’s parent has gone lost.
If you do not consider yourself one of those who do gain monetarily then you to are US. It’s really quite that simple…if you don’t want Uncle Sam doling out your sugar and calorie uptake hen don’t stand for him to forcibly use his will and all-mighty legislative powers by playing God(or doctor)by telling us what we do with our bodies as long as it bears no harm to another.

]]> By: Buy Spice Incense Smoking Blend Online | Custom Blown Glass Pipes http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-9081 Buy Spice Incense Smoking Blend Online | Custom Blown Glass Pipes Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:48:59 +0000 http://thethirdestate.net/?p=1577#comment-9081 [...] The Spice of Life at The Third State This is the most effective and greatest smelling incense on the market. [...] [...] The Spice of Life at The Third State This is the most effective and greatest smelling incense on the market. [...]

]]> By: Connor http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-7417 Connor Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:23:27 +0000 http://thethirdestate.net/?p=1577#comment-7417 Dear Salman This a fantastically written article and I wholly agree with the positions you've taken on every issue that's been raised. Someday I hope to attain your writing prowess. David Raynes is a faggot. Dear Salman
This a fantastically written article and I wholly agree with the positions you’ve taken on every issue that’s been raised. Someday I hope to attain your writing prowess. David Raynes is a faggot.

]]> By: Vimpel http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-6341 Vimpel Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:54:47 +0000 http://thethirdestate.net/?p=1577#comment-6341 the only reasonable approach that should be taken toward the drug debate is the chemical one, not the political or cultural one. psychiatric medication like major tranquillizers and serotoninergic reuptake inhibitors are harmfull. they lead to downregulations of serotoninergic sub-receptors, leaving them in theyr relative hypoactive state for months, sometimes years, even after the medication is stopped. neuroleptycs cause a well know syndrome called tardive dyskynesia, (among a host of other organic problems that would take me a book to point out, like diabetes or cycling mania)wich is often incurable and permanent. alcohol is extremely toxic for the body, cannabinoids instead cant kill you even in a massive overdose. yes, even full blown agonist like synthetic ones. benzodiazepines are legal, and so extensively abused that they kill more people than heroin. (you should be well aware of the statistics, mister Raynes.) stimulants like methylphenidate (ritalin) work the same exact way as cocain, both being dopamine and noripinephrine reuptake inhibitors. both presenting the same harm potential and the same health risks. GHB, who is an extremely interesting compund who could had been used with great beneficts in depression and related pathologies, is now illegal thanks to the politicians stances on things they do not understand. GHB is a neuroprotective with an insanely hihg LD50, but since it has the stigma of being a "date rape drug", its illegal, and researchers cant even work with it. in case you are wondering, neuroprotective is the opposite of neurotoxic. it helps prevent brain toxicity from both stress, depression, and effectively helps prevents dopamine toxicity. (for example, after cocain usage.) i could go on for ages, but us poor organic chemists never have a say in the matter. the few study published all had the same exact results: alcohol and psychiatric medications usually have a higher toxicity, the same abuse potential, and a worse profile than -most- illegal substance. incredibly, sometimes they are MUCH more toxic than the illegal counterparts. this is the sad truth of today drugs situation. you can keep closing your eyes and pretend that its irrelevant, but the only thing relevant in a substance is exactly this: its chemical profile. and if drugs would be scheduled ONLY according to this immutable fact, you would see todays classes of restricted substances in a complete different order. the only reasonable approach that should be taken toward the drug debate is the chemical one, not the political or cultural one.

psychiatric medication like major tranquillizers and serotoninergic reuptake inhibitors are harmfull. they lead to downregulations of serotoninergic sub-receptors, leaving them in theyr relative hypoactive state for months, sometimes years, even after the medication is stopped. neuroleptycs cause a well know syndrome called tardive dyskynesia, (among a host of other organic problems that would take me a book to point out, like diabetes or cycling mania)wich is often incurable and permanent. alcohol is extremely toxic for the body, cannabinoids instead cant kill you even in a massive overdose. yes, even full blown agonist like synthetic ones. benzodiazepines are legal, and so extensively abused that they kill more people than heroin. (you should be well aware of the statistics, mister Raynes.)
stimulants like methylphenidate (ritalin) work the same exact way as cocain, both being dopamine and noripinephrine reuptake inhibitors. both presenting the same harm potential and the same health risks.
GHB, who is an extremely interesting compund who could had been used with great beneficts in depression and related pathologies, is now illegal thanks to the politicians stances on things they do not understand. GHB is a neuroprotective with an insanely hihg LD50, but since it has the stigma of being a “date rape drug”, its illegal, and researchers cant even work with it. in case you are wondering, neuroprotective is the opposite of neurotoxic. it helps prevent brain toxicity from both stress, depression, and effectively helps prevents dopamine toxicity. (for example, after cocain usage.)
i could go on for ages, but us poor organic chemists never have a say in the matter. the few study published all had the same exact results: alcohol and psychiatric medications usually have a higher toxicity, the same abuse potential, and a worse profile than -most- illegal substance. incredibly, sometimes they are MUCH more toxic than the illegal counterparts.
this is the sad truth of today drugs situation. you can keep closing your eyes and pretend that its irrelevant, but the only thing relevant in a substance is exactly this: its chemical profile. and if drugs would be scheduled ONLY according to this immutable fact, you would see todays classes of restricted substances in a complete different order.

]]> By: Dope Smoker http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-5958 Dope Smoker Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:09:41 +0000 http://thethirdestate.net/?p=1577#comment-5958 Raynes: "The argument about cannabis users getting something else from the same dealer is largely illusory" That is utter rubbish. As a long term cannabis smoker (without any mental illness, yet) I have been to untold dealers to get weed who offered me something else. Someone is spreading lies. Raynes: “The argument about cannabis users getting something else from the same dealer is largely illusory”

That is utter rubbish. As a long term cannabis smoker (without any mental illness, yet) I have been to untold dealers to get weed who offered me something else.

Someone is spreading lies.

]]> By: Samuel http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-5335 Samuel Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:11:37 +0000 http://thethirdestate.net/?p=1577#comment-5335 There is one “cosmic insight” 'from skag or cocaine', and that is that they are better than the "mind altering" drugs. ;-p There is one “cosmic insight” ‘from skag or cocaine’, and that is that they are better than the “mind altering” drugs. ;-p

]]> By: Leon http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-5249 Leon Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:00:19 +0000 http://thethirdestate.net/?p=1577#comment-5249 I personally am SO fed up of hearing outdated and practically uninformed assertions about the "dangers of drug use" - when alcohol and tobacco are still legal. I have a number of friends and know a number of people that partake in smoking marijuana, and whilst there are some who take it to the extremes, the VAST majority are normal, happy, well adjusted individuals that choose to spend their time doing as they wish. Does binge drinking and alcoholism make alcohol any less legal? NO! With the damage that can do to your body I find it utterly ludicrous that anyone can genuinely get on their soap box and be oh so concerned about what it could be doing to the "youth of today". You only have to go to your local town centre on a Friday night and see the dangers that alcohol poses to everyone; innocent people drawn into a bar brawls, girls taken advantage of, vandalism... the list is endless. What concern is it to anyone about somebody in the privacy of their own home smoking a spliff? I think there are bigger things to worry about in this day and age and I think it's very clever of today's government to be focusing on legal herbs and plant extracts and their POTENTIAL harm where alcohol is STILL causing major issues in the world. I am totally in favour of what Sal has suggested. The black market is going nowhere and whilst the government might think that wasting tax payers money on locking up the big bad "dope heads" is going to suddenly bring about the downfall of the drug world, its 2009 and it's still prevalent. Why not try a different method and see how it works? The Government's own scientific advisers told them not to reclassify marijuana as the long term risks of psychosis were negligble... in that regard I'm pretty certain that if they legalised it and for some reason the world suddenly came to an end, there would be no problem in again, re-classifying it. Whatever they're doing at the moment clearly is not working. By deciding to criminalise spice, the reaction will be law abiding citizens, who were trying to attain their "high" legitimately, being forced into the arms of the blackmarket; where nothing is regulated; no guarantees about what is being consumed and more importantly, putting themselves at greater risk. How people don't see that, I have no idea. By the way, I in no way endorse cocaine, heroine or any other stonger substances. However personal experience has shown me that I have nothing to fear from people who smoke marijuana. In fact, I have far less to fear than people who get drunk. I personally am SO fed up of hearing outdated and practically uninformed assertions about the “dangers of drug use” – when alcohol and tobacco are still legal. I have a number of friends and know a number of people that partake in smoking marijuana, and whilst there are some who take it to the extremes, the VAST majority are normal, happy, well adjusted individuals that choose to spend their time doing as they wish. Does binge drinking and alcoholism make alcohol any less legal? NO! With the damage that can do to your body I find it utterly ludicrous that anyone can genuinely get on their soap box and be oh so concerned about what it could be doing to the “youth of today”. You only have to go to your local town centre on a Friday night and see the dangers that alcohol poses to everyone; innocent people drawn into a bar brawls, girls taken advantage of, vandalism… the list is endless. What concern is it to anyone about somebody in the privacy of their own home smoking a spliff? I think there are bigger things to worry about in this day and age and I think it’s very clever of today’s government to be focusing on legal herbs and plant extracts and their POTENTIAL harm where alcohol is STILL causing major issues in the world.
I am totally in favour of what Sal has suggested. The black market is going nowhere and whilst the government might think that wasting tax payers money on locking up the big bad “dope heads” is going to suddenly bring about the downfall of the drug world, its 2009 and it’s still prevalent. Why not try a different method and see how it works? The Government’s own scientific advisers told them not to reclassify marijuana as the long term risks of psychosis were negligble… in that regard I’m pretty certain that if they legalised it and for some reason the world suddenly came to an end, there would be no problem in again, re-classifying it. Whatever they’re doing at the moment clearly is not working. By deciding to criminalise spice, the reaction will be law abiding citizens, who were trying to attain their “high” legitimately, being forced into the arms of the blackmarket; where nothing is regulated; no guarantees about what is being consumed and more importantly, putting themselves at greater risk. How people don’t see that, I have no idea.
By the way, I in no way endorse cocaine, heroine or any other stonger substances. However personal experience has shown me that I have nothing to fear from people who smoke marijuana. In fact, I have far less to fear than people who get drunk.

]]> By: Salman Shaheen http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-4984 Salman Shaheen Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:07:22 +0000 http://thethirdestate.net/?p=1577#comment-4984 Andrew, this is a British site, but I certainly see your point. Andrew, this is a British site, but I certainly see your point.

]]> By: Andrew Beaver http://thethirdestate.net/2009/08/the-spice-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-4983 Andrew Beaver Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:03:38 +0000 http://thethirdestate.net/?p=1577#comment-4983 I have a prescription for Marijuana, actually, anyone in Canada with simply a diagnosis of Crohn's Disease like myself can head on down to the Compassion Centre in downtown Toronto and buy Marijuana. It is not 100% legal, but the government knows of the Centre and lets them continue with their business. Marijuana improves my quality of life CONSIDERABLY. If Marijuana and other drugs were legal, we would probably have MANY more improvements in the medical world as well. I also wouldn't have to quit and reduce the quality of my life in order to get custody of my children (but that's another story). Legalizing drugs will improve EVERYONE'S quality of life, by way of improved healthcare. There are so many things unknown and undiscovered because of the legal status of substances. I truly agree that we should have the right to govern what we put in our body. I thought the USA was the land of the free? I have a prescription for Marijuana, actually, anyone in Canada with simply a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease like myself can head on down to the Compassion Centre in downtown Toronto and buy Marijuana. It is not 100% legal, but the government knows of the Centre and lets them continue with their business. Marijuana improves my quality of life CONSIDERABLY. If Marijuana and other drugs were legal, we would probably have MANY more improvements in the medical world as well. I also wouldn’t have to quit and reduce the quality of my life in order to get custody of my children (but that’s another story).

Legalizing drugs will improve EVERYONE’S quality of life, by way of improved healthcare. There are so many things unknown and undiscovered because of the legal status of substances. I truly agree that we should have the right to govern what we put in our body. I thought the USA was the land of the free?

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