Synthetic Marijauna

JBothun Feb 09, 2012 14 Comments

[This post originally contained an embedded video that is no longer available at its source.]

This is a video I did as a fact-finding mission for a long-form documentary I’m working on. It may be interesting for anyone curious about the “legal alternatives” being sold in Duluth.

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14 Comments

Ramos

about 13 years ago 

What? These people are calm and articulate? I thought they were supposed to be deviant, child-neglecting, social-service-abusing idiots.

Nice job.

Zilla

about 13 years ago 

I can tell you right now that synthetic marijuana is NOT SAFE. I am an EMT and I personally respond to at least one synthetic marijuana medical emergency every two weeks (seizures are common). I can also tell you that in my career I have NEVER responded to a medical emergency cause by real marijuana, I'll let you do the math.

Ramos

about 13 years ago 

Everything is more dangerous than real marijuana. Unfortunately, real marijuana is illegal.

I won't dispute your claim of two synthetic-related medical emergencies per month. How many medical emergencies do you respond to where alcohol is involved?

JBothun

about 13 years ago 

One interesting thing I discovered was that people who had more of a negative experience with the synthetics did not want to be interviewed. I talked to a handful of users that fell under that category.

Herzog

about 13 years ago 

Well, if you couldn't interview any of the poor bastards this junk messed up Bothun, then I don't think you have a very balanced video going yet. But it's pretty silly they apply the word marijuana to something that has as much in common with pot, as say apples do to dog shit.   

Remember, one of the early 'synthetic marijuanas' was a highly powerful hallucinogenic called Salvia that made you sure you could fly off a building, but at least it was an actual plant.  It's like you could mix up some Ajax with a little lavender scent, and call it synthetic marijuana. Why not just call it  'Fucky Chemical Concoction that Causes Serious Medical Problems'?  

The term 'synthetic marijuana' should be saved for what the pharmaceutical companies are calling their next big anti-cancer cure-all, such as Marinol. America is the only nation in the world where growing hemp is illegal, a plant that could transform our world for the better, even though we import it from Canada, all so that a natural herbal remedy can remain illegal so guys like Carlson, and petroleum and tobacco CEOs can make a fortune off poisoning people.  

Has anyone done a cartoon about this yet? It's almost comical in a pathetic sort of way, how we let the 'one percent' bank billions off the casualties it creates. 'Let them eat grass.'

Nettles

about 13 years ago 

I can tell you right now that synthetic marijuana is not safe. I am surgeon general Regina Benjamin and my staff records at least one synthetic marijuana medical emergency every two weeks. I can also tell you that in my career I have never responded to a medical emergency cause by riding lawnmowers, I'll let you do the math.

in.dog.neato

about 13 years ago 

Better living through modern chemistry. Growing shit doesn't net as much money as manufacturing it, and keeping the grown shit illegal fuels the heavily lopsided judicial/prison complex.

emmadogs

about 13 years ago 

Colorado's effort to legalize pot:

Marijuana Push in Colorado Likens It to Alcohol

It would be nice to see MN do this too.  Way past time.

Zilla

about 13 years ago 

Ramos, we respond to alcohol related emergencies on a daily basis, often multiple times a day. Alcohol is also way more common than SM, it's tough to say which is more dangerous. It seem like the SM emergencies we go to are more serious in nature when compared to the alcohol related emergencies.

De man

about 13 years ago 

This, "America is the ONLY nation in the world where growing hemp is illegal..." is so blatently wrong. (emphasis added) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp#Countries_that_produce_hemp Also, 10 states in the US have made it legal to grow industrial hemp but have yet to grow any, due to pressure from the DEA. Just some things from your friendly fact checker.... ;-)

JBothun

about 13 years ago 

Herzog, I agree. The video isn't a balanced look at SM. However, that wasn't the point. The point of the video was to talk to the folks downtown who are using SM and allowing them to state their point of view. This is what they said.

On another note, I wonder if the sale of SM continues if it will have an effect on the legal status of marijuana?

One theme that has come up repeatedly during my talks with the people who are using SM is safety. 

Most users I have talked to don't think it's bad for you if you are responsible with it (every medical person I have talked to says it's terrible, no matter how "responsible" you are with it). Also, users have said they use SM because they feel safer following the law and they feel safer avoiding the circles involved in buying street drugs (sounds legit to me).

Also, when I asked if they would prefer marijuana to SM, all things being equal, marijuana was the choice.

So, if the legal alternative to marijuana has significant health risks associated with its use, and lawmakers can't eliminate these legal alternatives, and the people using these legal alternatives would prefer good old fashion Mary Jane anyways, doesn't the legalization of marijuana have to be looked at, at some point, as a possible solution to the problem?

emmadogs

about 13 years ago 

Don't assume it's legal in Superior.  Police are arresting people with SM obtained at LPOE, and putting them in jail, and charging them with violating WI law on SM, which can be charged as a felony or as a misdemeanor.

in.dog.neato

about 13 years ago 

Legal or no ... I'll stick to the genuine article. At the very least, I'm fairly certain of its effects and side effects.

Herzog

about 13 years ago 

You would think Bothun, but you're forgetting one thing, in this world,  fair or 'what ought to be' has got nothing to do with it.  You'll have to spend a lot of time and money on a law degree if you really want to speak their language. Or just move to Washington and beat the crap out of a few lobbyists with a lead filled hose until they start speaking in tongues.  That's probably your better bet.

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