Concentrates

Most of you probably have no clue what you're looking at in this picture. It looks harmless right? That is enough high quality wax to keep even a seasoned pot smoker high for months. Wax is a weed's bad ass dad. Massive amounts of marijuana are put into an enclosed container and butane gas is pumped in. THC the stuff that causes an access dopamine release in the brain, separates from the plant matter and forms a goop that looks like ear wax. Quality smokeable herb can contain anywhere from 5-25% THC. What a smoker will receive depends on who they know and how deep their pocket is. Low grade wax will contain no less than 40% THC. That number tells a store by its self, anyone who has smoked marijuana can form a clear understanding of how potent this stuff must be. The picture shown above can be considered art in the drug world. Known as "shatter" this transparent hard wax is guaranteed to pack a punch. To make something like this extremely expensive vacuum and convection ovens are required, along with a solid chemistry background. Shatter can be near 100% THC concentration so even a tiny little dab can put someone on the couch for a few hours.

Dabbing is rather risky compared to smoking traditional marijuana. The legal status of a concentrate is a felony, so unless the person in possession is a medical marijuana card holder, that person is in deep trouble. Transporting this drug can be dangerous,because a torch will most likely be inside the car. In the event of a car accident that torch could explode making the matters of the situation hazardous.  

Because this is marijuana on steroids no one has died or become physically addicted. Smoking it has been popularized because of the legalization and medical use of marijuana in some states. The businesses selling it are giving the customers exactly what they want... weed products that will keep a user higher for longer. Believe it or not this stuff is not as harsh on the body compared to marijuana. Instead of smoking constantly for 10 or 20 minutes than, a user takes one or two hits and they are more than content. Technologies are improving and im not just talking about cell phones. The common idiot with access to drugs can make this stuff if they really want to. It has and will continue to be used. It's legal in some places after all.

It's really not that bad

Less harmful than a beer and still it's illegal. The war on weed started during the 1920's and has recently turned in a new direction. Advances in science and technology have proven this plant is indeed medicinal. Laws are beginning to change and two states have legalized, and are now taxing marijuana. Now the rate on taxable goods in Michigan is six cents to the dollar. Weed is taxed at ten times that rate, sixty cents per dollar, a bit unreasonable and "high" wouldn't you say? Fortunately people are so damn happy about legal weed they're paying absolute top dollar for their product. Michigan obviously has not yet fully legalized this god given plant, but upcoming elections are sure to spark controversy. The change in legal status has and will continue to keep innocent people out of jail and generating millions in tax revenue.

Now lets get something straight... marijuana is nothing likes how it is advertised on television or in movies. The first few times people smoke it or ingest it they'll have common side affects such as impaired motor skills, cotton mouth, uncontrollable laughter at times, blurred vision, faster heart beat, and drowsiness. For some reason, certain individuals will become extremely paranoid and those are the ones who give weed a bad name. Everyone is different and will reacts differently to foreign substances put into the body. Some people cannot tolerate weed and should simply stay away from it.

 The body does begin to form a tolerance toward the psychoactive chemicals (THC & CBD) found in marijuana. So naturally the more often you smoke the more it's going to take to reach the same euphoric state of high. Science and stoner intuition has created a new form of smoke-able substance referred to as "wax". Basically wax is a form of hash designed to be dabbed. It is a concentrate so the level of THC exceeds any naturally grown marijuana. Good quality weed contains 12-25% THC, low quality wax contains at least 40%. The higher quality wax's can come close to 100% THC content because of extremely expensive convection ovens used to make the product.  Dabbing is a form of smoking that is way more effective that anything else. Instead of smoking a joint to yourself, you can take one hit of wax and you're gone. The process of making the concentrate is rather dangerous and extremely illegal.

The process of taking a dab is rather inconvenient but worth the extra time. Instead of burning it like marijuana, wax is incinerated on a glowing red nail. This nail is heated up with a blow torch until the temperature exceeds 250 degree's then the concentrate is dabbed. The potent smoke travels through the rig and into the users lungs and into the bloodstream. Within seconds you are on your ass. Dabbing is something an unseasoned smoker shouldn't even consider trying. We'll dive deeper into the world of marijuana and concentrates in the near future.

MAGIC

No other drug fascinates me more that psilocybin magic mushrooms. They've been around as long as us humans, and we cant help but experiment. Like marijuana, psilocybin is completely natural. Unlike marijuana, this stuff will put you on your ass and make you forget what planet you're on. Mushrooms have VERY similar affects to LSD, psilocybin causes a release of serotonin in the brain and user experience intense hallucinations, states of delirium, and extreme euphoria.

People who've experimented with both mushrooms and acid often speak of how shrooms were a more natural high compared to the basement chemistry lab feeling of  "LSD". Drugs that distort the perception of reality can either be extremely rewarding or traumatic experience. Hallucinogens emphasize ones true personality, and often while high on mushrooms, someone may realize how imperfect they truly are and take a turn for the worst. As crazy as it sounds, you cannot possibly un see the crazy shit that happened while you were on mushies... EVEN though nothing happened in the real world in the first place! 

Now your not going to be able to pick up a hot and ready with some mushrooms on it and have a psychedelic experience. What they sell in stores and put on your pizza is a harmless eatable fungus enjoyed by millions worldwide. Magic mushrooms require an extremely specific humidity and temperature to grow and are actually quite gross. Cow shit is the psilocybin mushrooms favorite place to grow. A special type of rice is planted into a cow pie or fed to the cows for a period of time. People either gather the feces and control the humidity and temperature for an extended period of time, or nature does its thing and this mind blowing drug is born. So people really do eat cow shit mushrooms to get high, and see things that are not really there.

A day in the life

The quote shown above is from the iconic 1998 film "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" starring Johnny Depp. Depp plays Hunter S. Thompson, a journalist in who's supposed to covering a race, but Instead gets fucked up beyond belief and searches for the "American dream". If you have not seen the movie, then you do not understand what crazy is! But this was not just a movie, Thompson actually lived this during April of 1971.

To understand what is actually going on in the movie you must first understand Hunter S. Thompson. To this man waking up, take a few hits of acid, getting some breakfast, and snorting a few lines of blow was child's play. Thompson was such a heavy drug user that many people would not work with him. He was an amazing journalist, it showed through his work, but he was ALWAYS on something. When he managed to actually turn in his work before deadlines it was fenominal. There is no question the man could write, the life style he lived provided such detailed and bizarre in site that readers could not help but love it. 

Throughout the movie Johnny Depp portrays Hunter perfectly. In preparation for the movie he actually spent three months in Thompson's home. Studying his movements, mimicking the way he talked, taking drugs with him, until he became Hunter! With all the crazy things Hunter had put into his body over the years, he did not think like the average person. It actually scared the shit out of him when Depp would portray him because it was so perfect. 

Hunter was the type of man who had complete control of his life. He was the only one in charge and because of this he did as he pleased. With the prolific amount of drugs he took it is astounding to think he maintained his sanity. Towards the end of his life his touch with reality obviously started to fade, but he was still functional. He had always told his close friends and family that he would be the one in control of when his time would come. He had always been an avid gun collector and that would be the weapon of choice. He had been heavily involved in politics during his younger years, and still fallowed what was going on in the government closely.  The attacks of  9-11 2001 had a lasting impact on Hunter. He was discussed by the world he lived in and took his life on the night of February 20, 2001.

Before his passing he had put aside the funds and planned his funeral in detail.  Back in 1972 he was involved with a campaign in Colorado and nearly won. His campaign poster featured a double thumbed hand holding a payote button( psychedelic cactus). For his funeral he wished to be cremated and shot out of a giant statue of this symbol. His wish became reality on August 20, 2005 at a private funeral in the middle of the desert.

Psychedelic's 101

In the fallowing weeks we will be jumping into a different category of mind altering drugs. What are known as hallucinogens create EXTREMELY realistic audio and visual hallucinations. Almost all of these drugs are illegal and serve no medicinal purpose... Or so that is what we are told. Psychedelic drugs effect serotonin receptors in the brain. An increase in this chemical causes mind boggling, unexplainable experiences. Taking psychedelic's date way back in time, things like psilocybon magic mushrooms, DMT, and peyote have existed for thousands of years.

More relevant to the time period, lysergic acid diethylamide, more commonly known as LSD was created by the Swiss in 1938. They discovered it's psychedelic properties five years later, and it was popularized by the care free hippie culture in the 60's. A man by the name of Ken Kesey was basically an acid pioneer. Along with his friends (known as his "marry band of pranksters") he purchased an old school bus and turned it into a mobile home. They painted and designed the bus with all sorts of crazy colors, with the intent of traveling to the 1969 Woodstock festival. Throughout the journey Kesey and friends participated in prolific drug use and filmed the experience. In 2011 the documentary "Magic Trip" was released. The producers used film from the original trip and explained how crazy and carefree these people were. It was rare for these people to be sober.... at almost all hours of the day someone was tripping ball's on high quality LSD.

Now days you cannot find true LSD unless you have a really sketchy chemist friend. 98% of what is sold as LSD is not really LSD. To produce high quality pure acid, extremely rare test tubes and paper thin chemistry beakers are required. The public does not have access to that type of equipment, so different chemicals are added to produce the product. This is what is known as "dirty acid". Unknowingly users take the drug and the consequences can be life changing. Years down the road a person can experience what is known as a flashback. Out of know where they're extremely high and it can be a horrible thing. Some people have a "bad trip" and loose touch with reality. Psychedelic drugs alter ones perception of time, space, reality, and reveal who the person truly is. Some people cannot physically stand what they are seeing and go bat shit crazy!

The method of taking the drug varies. LSD is a highly potent liquid solution, one tiny drop can put you on your ass for hours! Most commonly it is dripped onto thin pieces of paper like the one seen above. The user then places it on their tong and waits for it to kick in. It can also be dripped onto candy or put into a drink. One thing is for sure, once you start seeing crazy shit, you cant make it stop. You either embrace the experience and learn from it, or loose your touch with what is real and what is not. Scientist tell us that these psychedelic have no medical purpose, hence the illegality of them. They change a persons view of the world and these individuals slowly begin to question EVERYTHING they believe in. It can be an eye opening experience. Next week we will talk about some HEAVY users that actually did something with these out of this world experiences. A journalist named Hunter S. Thompson is by far one of the most bizarre individuals to walk the plant earth. His life itself was an experience no one can truly understand.   

Opiate conclusion

Lets say its a Saturday morning. You've got nothing important to do so you brew a nice pot of coffee and watch some music videos. For some reason you decide to watch one of the many terrible Lil Wayne videos. In a state of shock, you notice a Styrofoam cup in his hand. It's hard to understand what the goblin like creature is saying in the fist pace, but adding a highly addictive prescription drug isn't helping. What he's drinking is commonly known as "lean", a prescription cough suppressant that contains both Promethazine and Codeine.

Huston Texas is the birth place of the Sipping culture. In the 1960's Blues players would mix Robitussin with beer and experience bizarre sedating effects. Local gangs did the same and a tradition was formed. In the late 80's an early 90's they substituted in Promethazine Codeine syrup and Purple Drank was born. A native rapper by the name of DJ Screw promoted the drug in song, and often slowed down his tracks to produce a sound similar to the effect of the drug. Many locals and people across the nation wanted to try this illegal cocktail and nation soon delt with a lean epidemic.  Codeine is a narcotic, and Promethazine an antihistamine, combined they create a deadly substance. When taken as prescribed the syrup can relieve sever respiratory infection or act as a sleep aid. When abused, a user taking a dosage high enough may experience something similar to an LSD trip.  

Now lean use is common throughout various rap stars. Many versus talk highly of the substance and act as publicity for the drug. Due to the high potential for abuse, in August 2014 all production of the substance was called to an immediate halt. The shortage of lean has caused street values to sky rocket. Some rappers are willing to pay upwards or $100,000 a bottle. Soon the lean will run dry and problems SHOULD come to a screeching haul.

Being the dumb ass he is, Soulja boy posted this photo to Instagram shortly after the annoucment.

Far more dangerous is addictive substance Heroin. Also an opiate, but injected or smoked instead of orally taken. Heroin is refined morphine that's strong enough to kill a man. This drug is so addictive that the process of detox can kill a user. Many heroin addicts must inject themselves two or three times daily to avoid withdraw. When one is ready to get sober it is a pain staking process that can take a life time. Relapse is almost unavoidable when dealing with heroin. Sadly relapse leads to overdose all to often in the world of music and fame. 

Bradly Nowell struggled with heroin addiction for the majority of his short life. He' gotten clean but fell into relapse a few time's. When he finally seemed to have his life back on track it happened. He was a new father, he'd just gotten married, and had just finished the album that would make Sublime famous. Then he died... He'd been married for a week ,and while on a five day tour he slipped back into addiction. He knew that he'd be meeting his wife for the last stop of the tour and couldn't be fucked up on Heroin. Two choices.. 

1. Flush it down the toilet

2. Shoot it all up.....

Bradley was found in his motel on the morning of May 25, 1996 unresponsive. When medical help arrived they pronounced that he had died hours earlier of an overdose. 

The albums release was originally set back, but eventually became available to the public. Songs such as "What i've got","Santeria", and "Wrong way" gave the band the fame they craved, but there was only one problem... The lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist was dead.

Moral of the story: don't play around with Opiates and you'll live a happy life. The very Symbol that sublime created tell's the story of it's lead singers death. The band was created in California and the members felt a sense of pride toward it. The Sublime sun represents Cali, you either have good times and it is sunny, or you fall into the dark presence of the drug culture.

  

 

Not Even Once

When discussing illegal drugs, four main categories do a great job explaining the effects felt by the user. Narcotics, Stimulants, Depressants, and Hallucinogens all provide a "high" that can hook an individual before they know it's happening. This week we're diving right into the hard stuff, Narcotics.

The picture shown is the extremely powerful and addictive plant Opium Poppy. Humans began using this plant around 3400 B.C. in Mesopotamia (Southwest Asia) for medicinal and spiritual reasons. These people realized the true power and potential of this natural gift and passed it onto other cultures. Greek mythology is thought to be linked with Opium use. Often priests and other high ranking religious figures would take high doses and go to the Oracle to seek enlightenment. In a state of delirium these men would return with "messages from the gods" and record what they had experienced. It is thought that Opium use within Greek culture may have influence on belief in polytheism. Gods like Zeus, Hades,and Aphrodite had heavy influence on the outcome of daily life. The people did everything they could to please them including human sacrifice.      

World wide during the mid 1800's Opium dens were present in China, France, Southeast Asia, and North America. These were literally little huts that only served the purpose of smoking and selling Opium. This is a highly addictive substance so junkies visited regularly. Non smokers would also walk in on occasion looking for a good time. Dealers wouldn't hesitate to sell and eventually the United States attempted to crack down on opium. The major operations were located in Chinatown in both New Your and California. When Opium is smoked it is highly potent and fast acting. Opioids are among the most dangerous drugs due to the high risk of user dependency.  

  Modern day we have harnessed the potency of the plant and made it useful. Morphine, Hydro Morphine, Methadone, and Oxycodone are all Opioid based drugs that can alleviate severe pain. Morphine is used to put a patient under sedation when in excruciating pain (burn victims, car accident victims, ect.). Our bodies are actually equip with Opium receptors, when the chemical enters the body it binds to these. The other drugs listed are pills given to people who often are not able to function unless heavily sedated. These prescription pills are falling into the wrong hands and are being abused in high numbers. Heroin has also been around sense the 1880's and has done nothing but destroy life's. Heroin is made by taking the sap from Poppy Opium and refining it into Morphine. After the morphine has been produced it is again refined into Diaorphine, more commonly known as Heroin. This substance can be injected directly into the blood stream or smoked. It's so powerful that many users do not remain conscious throughout high.

Next week will conclude narcotics by looking deeper into Heroin and introducing the problem Hollywood Drug Codeine. Many rappers drink "Lean", a Promethazine Codeine prescription caught suppressant. They pour a few ounces of the liquid into a styrofoam cup, mix it with sprite, and drop a Jolly Rancher into into the solution. Opioids have had more negative affects than positive, lives are destroyed daily because of them