Salvia dissed on Morning Show with Mike and Juliet
March 26, 2008Here’s an interesting note from a reader of http://www.dosenation.com/ who has witnessed Salvia slowly seeping into the mainstream, now turning up on talk shows:
Saw on TV this morning a story on the “new” hallucinogen Salvia divinorum (watch the video’s here and here). There was a modicum of intelligent discussion but by and large there was that same old tired drug hysteria and the obligatory semi-hostile studio audience. The token “once alcoholic but now has seen the light doctor/crusader” was there as well, spouting non-facts and crack cocaine comparisons from his high and mighty pedestal. The defenders were pretty well spoken but rarely allowed to complete a thought. And finally they carted out the cousin of a young man who committed the cardinal sin of suicide whilst on Salvia [Editor’s note: The suicide in question was not while on salvia, it was after some period of extended Salvia experimentation and depression lasting moths to weeks]. Same old same old. I have noticed the ramping up media coverage of Salvia, I fear its only a matter of time before this amazing herb will be shoved through the FDA and scheduled alongside LSD, psilocybin, DMT, etc.
I always wish I could share my own experiences as a responsible and respectful user of hallucinogens. I’m a fairly successful business owner and artist and I know many who are similar to myself. I love this country (generally for its potential), pay my taxes, and am concerned about my friends, family and fellow citizens. Why is it that “these” people just don’t get it and maybe never will? Why do a few crusaders and a few adverse reactions have to ruin it for the rest of us.
I find that the paradox is this: Certain drugs / mind states allow you the perspective that everything is not quite what it seems on the surface, there are no absolute black and whites. Unfortunately you have to risk legal consequences and break crusty taboos to get these glimpses into the wonder, beauty, mystery and murkiness of this world we are born into. This is the source of my own frustration. What I do may not be for everyone, but why try and take away the tools for someone who has the calling to look for something else , experience something else? I have seen with my own two eyes and my own beating heart the potential for something greater for humanity.
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it’s hopefully more incentive to keep doing what you do here at DoseNation, to keep reporting that there are millions of people like me out there who are not misinformed fuck-ups and want to facilitate and advocate responsible use for those who are interested. There is a place in our society for these substances and it needs to be a safe, legal, well thought-out place.