No Responses to “The Podcast : Episode 11”

1. Ashes Says:
   February 4th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

   Ah thanks for the dedication, you and Ravenfire really do spoil me.

   As always I loved the show and think you made some really good points, but I would like to add on some things. You handled the racism aspects of the war on drugs very well, it’s all about keeping the non-anglo saxon people down, but another slap in the face, at least for an herbalist such as myself, is that a lot of these illicit drugs have medicinal value.

   Cannabis for example is one of the few things that does not lose its slight immune boosting and nausea fighting abilities when smoked instead of ingested. For people taking medicine that causes nausea or are having trouble keeping anything down and thus render teas and pills useless, cannabis is a way to help with the nausea and allow them to eat.

   MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, Ecstasy) has, in some studies, been shown to help with the pain and emotional distress of terminal cancer patients, speed the recovery of soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and even help with schizophrenia. It’s also a lot safer than LSD, which has been known to help break addictions, and help with self-injurious behaviors.

   These are just two really quick examples, but a lot of illegal drugs, especially opiates, are medicinally beneficial. To makes such drugs illegal (all the while pumping us full of even more harmful drugs) because of racist ideologies, and say that it’s “for our safety” is like putting lemon and salt in the wound and telling us it’s hydrogen peroxide; both hurt just the same, but one will help prevent an infection while the other will cause one. Unfortunately it seems the U.S. doesn’t have a problem with it’s infection right now, and is refusing to take anything to help.

   

2. angryhippie Says:
   February 4th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

   You are 100% right!! I did make some really good points! haha, just kidding! It’s true that so many drugs have medicinal and even beyond uses. I read in a book, I can’t remember now, which one it was (possibly the ‘Big Book of Hemp’), how a man went to the US government with a study that showed the hundreds of practical uses of hemp, from clothing, shelter, food, and even as it grows it rejuvenates the soil. He told the government that with the mass cultivation of hemp, we could save the world, and they told him, but marijuana is illegal!!!! AAARRRGGGHHH!

   MDMA has been used in just overall extreme grief counseling. I saw a piece about a woman who went to a specialist to deal with the tragic loss of her husband of many years. They used MDMA in her treatment, and she was able to face and deal with it healthily and comfortingly!

   So you are more than correct! Thanks for the follow-up!

   

3. Lisa Says:
   February 5th, 2008 at 3:57 pm

   Excellent podcast! You’re absolutely correct about the racism that pervades the war of drugs. You probably already know this, but the sentences for possession of crack cocaine (viewed as an inner city drug) are harsher than those for possession of powdered cocaine (a “white collar” drug). Those in power choose to ignore the underlying issues of drug abuse because heaven forbid! they’d have to change the status quo.

   And thank you for bringing up prescription drugs. Everything you said rings true. (Generation Rx, by Greg Critser, is a great read for learning just how wrong big pharma can be. I recommend it.)

   Lisa (TomeReader)

   

4. angryhippie Says:
   February 6th, 2008 at 12:36 am

   You know, Lisa, I had heard that before about crack and cocaine, but had forgotten about it. I’ll read this on the next ep and that way I can mention that as well. And thanks for the recommended read. I haven’t seen that, so I’ll have to check it out.

   Thanks for the comment and the listen as well. I appreciate it!

   

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