SPICE OF LIFE
Seeing stars with spice: I've tried this stuff, and I can tell you that it's harsh as hell and doesn't really get you any higher than you'd get by standing up too quickly — or [by] hitting yourself in the head with a board.
In fact, it's a similar kind of headache-y feeling that comes when you slam your head into something and see stars.
I have three teenagers, and I'm allowing them to smoke actual marijuana now, because I've tried this crap and it's got to be worse for them than pot. It ranks right up there with cigarettes, and they're legal, too.
Regina Brown, Tucson
C'mon, let's be like California: Jeez, why don't we just get marijuana clinics, like in California, so we could make up some ailment and get pot legally! Then, this spice stuff wouldn't be needed.
Tim Neely, Phoenix
Party on with spice 'til pot's legal: There is nothing wrong with spice, and it's legal. I'm not sure why articles like this want to portray it as dangerous to your health. There's no evidence of this whatsoever.
I would rather see marijuana legalized, but I live in Arizona, so fat chance! And it's a felony here to possess even a seed. So until our state goes the way of California, I'm going to continue smoking spice.
I've had nothing but good times with it. Party on!
Jim Neal, Tempe
Spice is BS: I say legalize marijuana. It's natural and has many plusses, such as relief from pain, nausea and stress. This stuff is bullshit that causes problems instead of solving them.
Larry Eldridge, Tempe
Research chemicals go way back: I would take issue with one factual aspect of the story. Ms. D'Andrea writes: "As people navigate the uncharted waters of spice as a 'legal alternative' to pot, its popularity has led to an explosion of other new designer drugs, all widely available via the Internet and mail order to anyone with a credit card — for 'research purposes only.'"
So-called research chemicals have been around much longer than the current spice craze. They are all responses to the banning of usually less dangerous products. They are widely available and frequently carry less legal risk than their banned counterparts — even if they may be more dangerous.
Charles Ward, address unavailable
No way; too effed up: I smoked some [spice] last night. Leave it the fuck alone. It's too fucked up.
Joey Wells, address unavailable
Choose the real thing: Smoking does not make anyone an unemployed loser. There are many highly educated and successful people in this world who smoke pot.
People need to look at all the positives of marijuana and legalize it, tax it, and profit from it. If regulated, it would be a good thing.
This synthetic stuff can't be that good.
Name withheld
