Health ministry in Austria imposed an immediate ban on the sale and distribution of the herbal incense “Spice“, which some people have taken to smoking for its hallucinogenic and psychodelic effects.

Smoking mixture Spice, which is sold legally in a number of countries as an exotic herbal smoking blend that releases a rich fragrance when burned, would be banned from sale immediately in Austria because a cannabis-like substance, synthetical cannabinoid JWH-018, had been found in it, the ministry said in a statement.

While the effects of taking the substance JWH-018 had not yet been fully determined, the risks were deemed to be high, the statement added. Thus, an immediate 14-day ban had been imposed until a more permanent ruling could be reached, the statement said. (more…)

Marijuana – or Mary-J, as it is warm-heartedly called by those who are addicted to the substance, is not that different from tobacco when you come to think of it. They are both made from dried leaves. They can also be smoked, chewed and sometimes even sniffed by those who take them. Did I mention that they are also both highly addictive and destructive to the brain cells? Well, they are.

Whereas tobacco has a soothing effect on those who consume it, Mary-J is much more potent because of its hallucinogenic and intoxicating effects on those who try and get hooked. I have seen cigarette smokers’ reform and migrate to marijuana smoking because it makes them ‘high’.

Having been used for several centuries both as an intoxicant and a medication, the control of the substance is a bit difficult because of various beliefs concerning it. While some countries consider it an illegal substance, others think it really isn’t so harmful because it also helps medicinally to improve appetite, prevent the severe weight loss associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

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