Havana

April 16th, 2008 at 9:37 am

Wow, those are my exact feelings on cannabis. I feel too that there are two types of smokers: the ones who do it for amusement and the ones who do it to grow. I used to be so small-minded before I started smoking; ever since I smoked, I’ve been getting more into philosophy, into astronomy, and into nature in general. But I don’t fool myself into thinking that the “high” is a real spiritual experiences. The way I see it, it’s like a flashlight that flicks on in the dark, showing you the way. And when you return to sobriety, it is up to you to find that way for yourself. I love cannabis because it lets you think without the walls of rationale boxing your mind. It’s a beautiful experience.

David Askaripour

April 16th, 2008 at 11:33 am

right on, Havana. absolutely, cannabis is an amazing plant that can help you see things on entirely new levels under the right circumstances and intentions. I totally agree, it’s all up to the person who goes on the journey with cannabis… it’s up to them to bring back this intelligence and share it with the world — and that’s a beautiful thing

BlackMan

April 17th, 2008 at 10:13 pm

I want to talk to Sampson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brett

April 20th, 2008 at 9:57 am

David, been meaning to comment for a while. I’ve been out of the loop for a while, but I’m graduating soon and will be moving to NYC. At any rate, I just wanted to touch on your gradual transformation from business blog to, as some might describe, counter culture.

About three years ago I dropped out of college and got really into cannabis and other hallucinogenic plants/fungi. I thought that I was privy to what this life really meant and I scoffed at those who looked down on me. I studied these plants dilegently - online and in the library - and was never taking them just to have a good time.

I just want to let you know that I would not be who I am today without that time in my life. However, it was also a really bad time for me. Dropping out of school, working a crappy job, I was basically just treading water. I guess I’m just trying to say be careful. Yea its cool when you are 18-22ish but when you are 30 and still living that way - well, you might regret that. Sorry for the long winded public service announcement, I just wanted to get that out there.

David Askaripour

April 20th, 2008 at 5:53 pm

Hey Brett,

It’s been a while, thanks for the comment. I welcome you to New York City and congrats on your coming graduation.

Counter-culture is precise, but more fitting would be “movement to save the environment, educate, and inspire.”

Thanks for your concern, I really appreciate that. I do feel that I am careful in my actions and with the messages I’m spreading. I don’t think that consuming cannabis and/or mushrooms is “cool” and would never label it as such. I think that for certain people with the right intentions and understanding, these plants have the potential to promote beneficial growth, just as nature’s myriad of other plants, i.e. cacao nuts, green tea, pears, etc.. Perhaps it may not be fair to compare pyschoative compounds with non-psychoactive compound-containing plants, but in the greater context of nature and the plant’s that nature has provided us… there is no difference, just different experiences.

I totally agree with you in respect that one should be careful when consuming pyschoactives, no doubt. It can ruin peoples’ lives. But for others, it can be a life long, amazing, transcending relationship.

Please continue to comment, I enjoy and respect your thoughts, my friend.

Lily

April 22nd, 2008 at 3:25 pm

I think that weed may make you feel that are making some spiritual trip but I think that’s an easy excuse to smoke weed. Smoking is just like having a glass of wine not a horrible thing but it’s not anything that will make you truly more enlightened. Have you ever seen any of the most enlightened people say smoke some grass you’ll find peace. You’ll find peace by looking at life with only your mind to change your outlook and see the illusion that’s when you will truly find something to hold onto.

David Askaripour

April 22nd, 2008 at 3:32 pm

Hey Lily,

Excellent advice. Thanks for sharing this view. I agree, canabis can NEVER enlighten a person and is never the key to true happiness and peace. Nevertheless, it can be used as a tool on the journey.

Taylor

April 23rd, 2008 at 2:36 am

I agree with so much of whats being said, canabis and psilocybin can be a great jumping-off point for some really productive insightful learning. Like anything else, too much can most definitely be a bad thing, but used in the right setting, context, and state, natural “drugs”, can do so much.

David, you and Khalik Allah both mentioned the negative effects of actually smoking marijuana. Have you ever used a vaporizer?

David Askaripour

April 23rd, 2008 at 9:09 am

Hey Taylor, Definitely, too much of ANYTHING (even oxygen) is a bad thing, right on. Nah, never used a vaporizer, have you? I’ve done a bit of reading about them, but never used. If you’ve used them before, how was it to, say, using a bowl / bong?

Taylor

April 24th, 2008 at 1:40 am

Yeah I’ve used one a handful of times. Compared to a bong, the vaporizer is easily the better. It filters out 95% of the harmful material, avoiding red eyes, damaged lungs, dry eyes, and flem/nasal irritation. That alone would be enough for me, but it also conserves much better, and without the the smoke the smell isn’t nearly as potent.