DUIK - Driving Under the Influence of Kava?

If it wasn't so sad it would be funny:

California prosecutors are cracking down on kava-drinking motorists who are driving under the intoxicating influence of the herbal tea.

Following their first successful conviction in June, San Mateo County prosecutors have filed three other cases, after about a dozen motorists had been pulled over in recent years, said San Mateo Deputy District Attorney Chris Feasel.

Let me just say that driving impared is driving impared. Kava-kava (Piper mythesticum) can have an profound impact on some people. Kava is one of those herbs you want to learn before you super-size it.

Motorists under the influence of Kava had a "thousand-yard stare", Feasel said. "They're drooling on themselves sometimes, their motor function is so bad," he added.

He said that police had pulled over kava-addled motorists who were swerving, veering into other lanes and drifting onto the road's shoulder.

"Kava basically has the opposite effect of alcohol," Feasel said. "Kava affects your motor skills before it affects your mental abilities."

Let's back the truck up a second here. Feasle (rhymes with "weasel") is a deputy District Attorney, not an herbalist. Hey Weasel, I'll make you a deal. You don't go spouting off on the physio-psycho effects of herbal medicine, and I won't give out crappy legal advice, deal?

Kava is traditionally used to quite a chatty mind, sharpen focus and help with centering. In large doses, it can be soporific (helps you go to sleep). But this nonsense about the motor system affects before the mental is just goofy. Moron...

Story from New Zealand, of all strange places.

Posted by Evo Terra at October 26, 2004 09:58 AM | TrackBack (0)