winterwanderer
Well-known member
The use of mind-altering substances carries a great stigma in society, but let's face it; from coffee to alcohol to tobacco to cannabis to prescription meds, most of us are under the influence of some drug at least once in a while. So let's have an open discussion about them!
Alcohol is one of the most popular "fun drugs". However, there are many headaches associated with its use. Foremost is inability to drive safely for hours after imbibing. This is a HUGE hangup for me when living on the road. But alcohol's legal issues don't end here. For an SUV dweller like me, it is illegal to have an opened bottle in my vehicle. Even empty beer cans in the trash are a potential problem. Plus, solo drinking isn't very enjoyable. I virtually never consume alcohol while living on the road.
What about cannabis? Here we run into even more serious legal issues. It is illegal to smoke cannabis in a vehicle or on public property in all fifty states. The potent odor of weed smoke makes it difficult to conceal even casual use. (Vapes and edibles can alleviate this problem, but all other issues remain.) Having a used pipe or a non-retail container of pot in a vehicle is also illegal in every state, even if you haven't smoked in weeks. And as we all know, being found in possession of even the smallest quantity of marijuana means arrest, vehicle impoundment and criminal charges in over thirty states. Though some strains of cannabis increase alertness and focus, driving under the influence is still a crime in every state. I have consumed marijuana frequently in the past while traveling and boondocking, but a greater awareness of the laws regarding its use has dissuaded me from the practice.
Now we come to kratom. For those unfamiliar with it, kratom is the dried and powdered leaves of a tree (Mitragyna speciosa) which grows in southeast Asia. It has several different strains of varying potency and duration, with effects that range from stimulating to euphoric to sedating.
Legally, kratom has enormous advantages over the previous two drugs for those who live on the road. Most importantly, it is legal under both federal law and the laws of 43 states, including every state west of the prairies. (However, the cities of San Diego and Denver have banned the possession of kratom.) There are no restrictions on possession and use by adults in states where it is legal. Kratom does not show up on any common drug test, and impairment is undetectable when consumed in moderation. While it does have potential for abuse and addiction, these issues have more to do with the user than the drug. (Heck, some people even abuse salt and sugar!)
In my experience, kratom's effects are far less pronounced than either alcohol or cannabis. The experience is more "enhanced sobriety" than intoxication. Nonetheless, it is a powerful plant medicine, and must be respected...I learned that lesson very early on.
A couple teaspoons of White Maeng Da gives me incredible energy, motivation and focus for 4 - 6 hours. Then it's chill time
. Green Malay is a subtle but long-lasting mood enhancer; even a moderate dose can last up to 18 hours. It is like an escalator, boosting my conscious determination to enjoy life in the moment, to be open and aware and appreciative of everything. Red Bali is better for those who suffer from chronic pain or nagging anxiety; I don't, so its effects are lost on me. I have not yet tried my Yellow Maeng Da or Gold Bali strains.
Yes, kratom has a mild earthy odor and tastes like dirt. But that's how god intended it to taste, and I'm not complaining. Has anyone here tried or used kratom?
Alcohol is one of the most popular "fun drugs". However, there are many headaches associated with its use. Foremost is inability to drive safely for hours after imbibing. This is a HUGE hangup for me when living on the road. But alcohol's legal issues don't end here. For an SUV dweller like me, it is illegal to have an opened bottle in my vehicle. Even empty beer cans in the trash are a potential problem. Plus, solo drinking isn't very enjoyable. I virtually never consume alcohol while living on the road.
What about cannabis? Here we run into even more serious legal issues. It is illegal to smoke cannabis in a vehicle or on public property in all fifty states. The potent odor of weed smoke makes it difficult to conceal even casual use. (Vapes and edibles can alleviate this problem, but all other issues remain.) Having a used pipe or a non-retail container of pot in a vehicle is also illegal in every state, even if you haven't smoked in weeks. And as we all know, being found in possession of even the smallest quantity of marijuana means arrest, vehicle impoundment and criminal charges in over thirty states. Though some strains of cannabis increase alertness and focus, driving under the influence is still a crime in every state. I have consumed marijuana frequently in the past while traveling and boondocking, but a greater awareness of the laws regarding its use has dissuaded me from the practice.
Now we come to kratom. For those unfamiliar with it, kratom is the dried and powdered leaves of a tree (Mitragyna speciosa) which grows in southeast Asia. It has several different strains of varying potency and duration, with effects that range from stimulating to euphoric to sedating.
Legally, kratom has enormous advantages over the previous two drugs for those who live on the road. Most importantly, it is legal under both federal law and the laws of 43 states, including every state west of the prairies. (However, the cities of San Diego and Denver have banned the possession of kratom.) There are no restrictions on possession and use by adults in states where it is legal. Kratom does not show up on any common drug test, and impairment is undetectable when consumed in moderation. While it does have potential for abuse and addiction, these issues have more to do with the user than the drug. (Heck, some people even abuse salt and sugar!)
In my experience, kratom's effects are far less pronounced than either alcohol or cannabis. The experience is more "enhanced sobriety" than intoxication. Nonetheless, it is a powerful plant medicine, and must be respected...I learned that lesson very early on.
A couple teaspoons of White Maeng Da gives me incredible energy, motivation and focus for 4 - 6 hours. Then it's chill time
. Green Malay is a subtle but long-lasting mood enhancer; even a moderate dose can last up to 18 hours. It is like an escalator, boosting my conscious determination to enjoy life in the moment, to be open and aware and appreciative of everything. Red Bali is better for those who suffer from chronic pain or nagging anxiety; I don't, so its effects are lost on me. I have not yet tried my Yellow Maeng Da or Gold Bali strains. Yes, kratom has a mild earthy odor and tastes like dirt. But that's how god intended it to taste, and I'm not complaining. Has anyone here tried or used kratom?
