Not be outdone, Josh Johnson made it the all-Josh restricted list up in Syracuse.

I'm not joshing

they sell hookah products and tobacco.

Is this what we used to call a head shop?

Is this what we used to call a head shop?

Yep. They also sell some really odd "tobacco alternative" products now which contain additives, spices, etc....won't be surprised when they find out it's MORE harmful then the "Devil Weed" they outlaw...BUT you DO still have to say "May I please see that water pipe there, sir?"

Double

I've wanted to take up pipe smoking for a while (just normal old country gentleman pipe I mean). I've got the pipe and even landed some interesting smelling tobaccos. But I haven't got anything to light it with...as it's been 6 months I'm starting to think that I don't actually want to take up smoking that badly. I do love the smell of pipe tobacco though.

In other pipe/baseball anecdotes...
I once bought a friend a birthday gift which was this really great weed pipe with several different removable heads in a nice velvet-lined box...forgetting that I was going to a Jays game later in the day. And of course this was the one time I've been to a game where they searched my bag (probably because it's the only time I've brought a bag). The security guy just looked at it for about 5 minutes as if he couldn't figure out what it was. As authority figures no matter how trivial always intimidate me into telling the truth by their mere existence I blurted out that it was a marijuana pipe. He just looked at me funny and said, "well you can't smoke this during the game". I promised I wouldn't and continued to my seat.

I thought this was about Josh Wilker.

They also sell some really odd "tobacco alternative" products now which contain additives, spices, etc....won't be surprised when they find out it's MORE harmful then the "Devil Weed" they outlaw

We were awakened a couple weeks ago early on a Sunday morning by the next door neighbor screaming to call 911. Turns out that his roommate had been imbibing of that stuff, or something like it that you can buy at 7-11, for some time and freaked out. Crazy roommate physically threw the first roommate out the front door and was tearing the house up, breaking computers, flower pots, anything he could get his hands on. So, yeah, maybe it will be outlawed sooner or later, or maybe he's just a wacko to start with and this weed pushed him over the edge.

We were awakened a couple weeks ago early on a Sunday morning by the next door neighbor screaming to call 911. Turns out that his roommate had been imbibing of that stuff, or something like it that you can buy at 7-11 for some time and freaked out. Crazy roommate physically threw the first roommate out the front door and was tearing the house up, breaking computers, flower pots, anything he could get his hands on. So, yeah, maybe it will be outlawed sooner or later, or maybe he's just a wacko to start with and this weed pushed him over the edge.

That sounds like bath salts.

Jeff K. posted.

Jeez, where have you been?

Long story short, I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I've spent the last 2.5 years ignoring the things that used to bring me pleasure, because nothing does, and the things that used to are the most depressing. This includes baseball, and all sports in general. My current medication has left me in a state where I feel capable of coming back here, a place I used to love.

Hookahs seem to be a big thing in certain areas nowadays. I don't know enough about the scene to know if people are actually using them for tobacco but several middle eastern and Indian restaurants I frequent also sell hookahs and related accessories.

Long story short, I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I've spent the last 2.5 years ignoring the things that used to bring me pleasure, because nothing does, and the things that used to are the most depressing. This includes baseball, and all sports in general. My current medication has left me in a state where I feel capable of coming back here, a place I used to love.

Damn. I knew it had been more than two years since you'd been here (I'm weird that way), and I'd been wondering what the hell happened (and fearing the worst). I'm sorry to hear about your condition, but I'm glad you're feeling better. It's great to see you back.

I don't understand why hookah pipes seem to get a pass from anti-smoking activists when they are no safer than cigarettes.

Welcome back, Jeff K.!

Long story short, I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I've spent the last 2.5 years ignoring the things that used to bring me pleasure, because nothing does, and the things that used to are the most depressing. This includes baseball, and all sports in general. My current medication has left me in a state where I feel capable of coming back here, a place I used to love.

Holy hell, it's great to see you around! It was a pretty big unsolved mystery around here.

Holy hell, it's great to see you around! It was a pretty big unsolved mystery around here.

They even had Robert Stack do a voiceover about it.

They even had Robert Stack do a voiceover about it.

It is Dennis Farina era reruns that JLD watches on Lifetime.

I don't understand why hookah pipes seem to get a pass from anti-smoking activists when they are no safer than cigarettes.

Because you don't walk around with a hookah blowing second-hand smoke all over everyone. But if you decided to, that would be hilarious.

Because you don't walk around with a hookah blowing second-hand smoke all over everyone. But if you decided to, that would be hilarious.

From the Mayo Clinic:

While research about hookah smoking is still emerging, evidence shows that it poses many dangers:

Hookah smoke contains high levels of toxic compounds, including tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). In fact, hookah smokers are exposed to more carbon monoxide and smoke than are cigarette smokers.
As with cigarette smoking, hookah smoking is linked to lung and oral cancers, heart disease and other serious illnesses.
Hookah smoking delivers about the same amount of nicotine as cigarette smoking does, possibly leading to tobacco dependence.
Hookah smoke poses dangers associated with secondhand smoke.
Hookah smoking by pregnant women can result in low birth weight babies.
Hookah pipes used in hookah bars and cafes may not be cleaned properly, risking the spread of infectious diseases.

I've found hookahs to be really enjoyable. The smoke is very smooth and it comes in sweet, almost child-friendly flavors. Mouth does not feel like an ashtray the next day. And it's a nice ritual, easy and slow, encourages sharing and relaxation. And I like the exoticism of it.

Hookah pipes used in hookah bars and cafes may not be cleaned properly, risking the spread of infectious diseases.

Yes, I certainly wouldn't want to contract the common cold while giving myself lung cancer. I wouldn't be able to smoke until I recuperated!

Everytime I hear an excuse from someone suspended, I hear this in my head:

"One night I mixed some low-fat milk and some pasteurized, then I dipped my cookie in and the #### blew up."-Rchard Pryor on how he caught himself on fire.

Spice is illegal. It is a synthetic cannabinoid that is chemically made. The DEA has made it a scheduled narcotic, but since it's a chemical, the makers just change the composition slightly, which doesn't alter the effect, but makes it legal once again. I thought the DEA made every synthetic cannabinoid illegal, but I'm not sure. Working in corrections, we have a big problem with it.

It's worse than marijuana, and worse for you. You can tell right away when someone is high on it. It is easier to have a conversation with a drunk person than someone on spice. And their motor skills are shot.

It is marketed as a legal marijuana, but it's so much worse. The packages that it is sold in says on it "Not for human consumption" and it's usually sold as "incense" so it can be sold at head shops and 7-11. Right now there is only the federal law prohibiting it, I am unsure if any states have made laws banning it, I know Colorado hasn't. But since there are no state laws, most officers won't do anything about it. We've tried to get charges brought up against our residents who bring it into the facility (introduction of contraband), but the police won't charge them.

Bath salts are a little different. That is supposedly fake meth/cocaine. But the effects are so much different. And it's nothing like a fake LSD that it keeps being called since the Miami attack last week. We've had a few of our residents use this stuff, but I've never seen any of them actually high on it.

Luckily, drug testing companies have been able to develop tests for this stuff. But they are expensive so we only test for them if we have a good reason to believe one of our residents has been using it.

Oh, and my guess is that Wilkie knew exactly what he was smoking, and was smoking it to get high. Probably just didn't know MLB was testing for it.

The spice extends life. The spice expands consciousness.

He who controls the spice, controls the universe.

25 - Thank you.

19 - What in the hell are you responding to? I didn't say anything about sitting in a hookah cafe breathing second-hand smoke.

You are very welcome.

19 - What in the hell are you responding to? I didn't say anything about sitting in a hookah cafe breathing second-hand smoke.

So then WTF was your point in 18?

Not to speak for Lassus, but I took it to mean that hookah pipes are kind of a niche thing. They are generally only smoked in places that are specifically designed for hookah-smoking.

People are less inclined to complain because it's pretty easy to avoid hookah pipes if you really want to.

So then WTF was your point in 18?

First, my language was far too harsh, I apologize.

Second, you asked why hookahs seemed to get a pass from anti-smokers. I responded by stating that anti-smokers aren't getting hit with hookahs being walked around and getting second-hand smoke everywhere, as cigarettes. Perhaps it wasn't clear that I meant the manner in which cigarette smoke is experienced makes the grain of sand of hookah bars to the South Beach of normal cigarette smokers not particularly important to the anti-smokers.

My point was not to say that hookahs didn't produce dangerous second-hand smoke, just that you can only breathe it in at places where you go to smoke hookahs, so the anti-smokers mostly don't care.

Calabash pipe to Greg.

People are less inclined to complain because it's pretty easy to avoid hookah pipes if you really want to.

My point was not to say that hookahs didn't produce dangerous second-hand smoke, just that you can only breathe it in at places where you go to smoke hookahs, so the anti-smokers mostly don't care.

Got it. Thanks.

I don't disagree with either point, but many anti-smoking adverts focus on the principal's health, not the effects of second-hand smoke. It just seems odd that none address hookah smoking, which is increasinbly popular.

I hardly ever smoke tobacco--and never anything else--but hookah might be my least favorite, for almost exactly the reasons #20 lists as positives. I find the smoke to be almost sickly-sweet, fair enough if people like it, but I'd take Marlboro Reds every day of the week.

EDIT: Well, I'd take nothing every day of the week, but you know what I mean

Long story short, I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I've spent the last 2.5 years ignoring the things that used to bring me pleasure, because nothing does, and the things that used to are the most depressing. This includes baseball, and all sports in general. My current medication has left me in a state where I feel capable of coming back here, a place I used to love.

Been there, done that, will most likely do it again (but I hope not). My heart, black & shriveled though it is, goes out to you. Great to hear that things have improved a bit.

My current medication

Not bath salts, presumably. But hey, whatever works ...

but many anti-smoking adverts focus on the principal's health

What about the teachers' health?

And won't someone think of the children?

Speaking of Marlboros.... I see Marlboro Blacks in the convenience store. Are those supposed to be stronger than Reds? They also call some cigarettes little cigars and sell loose tobacco as pipe tobacco to circumvent cigarette taxes.

I've pretty much only smoked cigars and pipes. A pipe is great on a fall or spring evening, but I haven't smoed one in ages. I should break it out some evening in honor of this thread.

I believe they also market Spice as K2. My brother smoked that and wound up in the ER. He thought he was on a Mexican beach. He's schizophrenic anyways, so YMMV, but he was in the hospital for a week or so after that.

I believe they also market Spice as K2.

You are correct. Those seem to be the two most common generic names for it, but there are dozens of brand names for it.

Wilkie is coloring his life with too much spice.

Bath salts are a little different. That is supposedly fake meth/cocaine. But the effects are so much different. And it's nothing like a fake LSD that it keeps being called since the Miami attack last week. We've had a few of our residents use this stuff, but I've never seen any of them actually high on it.

So, no random acts of face cannibalization then? That's probably a good thing...

So, no random acts of face cannibalization then? That's probably a good thing...

Agreed. Cannibalism is disturbing enough when it can be rationally justified in a court of law.

can anyone give a quick run down on how people on spice and/or bath salts act? I have an acquaintance who has recently begun to exhibit odd behavior. But it's not like he's totally wasted; just very loud and obnoxious Much out of character. Not sure what is going but I think he's on something...

Is he being a selfish conversationalist who is a bit more articulate than usual? He may just be coked up.

can anyone give a quick run down on how people on spice and/or bath salts act? I have an acquaintance who has recently begun to exhibit odd behavior. But it's not like he's totally wasted; just very loud and obnoxious Much out of character. Not sure what is going but I think he's on something...

Is he eating your face? Probably bath salts.

Sorry, not very helpful, just can't get that out of my head. Crazy story.

Does he smoke cigarettes? If not, does he smell like smoke? I would imagine spice smells a little bit at least when ignited.