...the Chinese used to prescribe it for asthma...
Funny you mentioned that! My grandmother once mentioned about some neighbor who used it for just that, way back when her and my grandfather were first married and still living in an apartment! (She brought it up once when the news was into covering its use back in the 60-70's, adding to the news commentator, saying that it used to be used as a medicine.) Apparently it was some old guy barely getting around, and not some stoner faking it (as is common now-a-days). Indeed it does have beneficial medical applications which is foolish to overlook, as do many other currently illegal things.
If you can find any legitimate history about it, Lucy in the Sky... began its clinical use in psychotherapy and curing alcoholism. From what I had read, the results were quite amazing and beneficial. Then when the government wanted to find a way to use it for brain-washing (or as a truth serum type drug), that led to its research being done by higher faculty members at a few universities, which led to indeed to "higher" faculty members, and the rest of the story is more well known.
I find it interesting that the American Indians can respect and use Lophophora without all their kids running around as little stoners! Why is it that as "civilized" Americans, we cannot say the same for our kiddies! Seems in many ways, that the understanding, respect and subsequent lifestyle of living "with" the land instead of just "on" it, that the Indians were far advanced compared to the savages who stole their land! Go figure!
And back to the subject... I think responsible farming would be the best route to go under the circumstances. However you would have to fence your land with barbed wire to keep the poachers out!
I do hope they find a viable solution, as they have handled themselves responsibly concerning this matter (for the most part), and indeed respect the innate qualities of this amazing life form.
We forget we were placed into a marvelous "paradise" that provides for all our needs. We turn a blind eye to that fact, and prefer to pave it over, use & abuse our environment and its other inhabitants, and tear from it anything we want without concern. We are so spellbound by our inventions and technology that we know of no other "reality". (Who wants to give up indoor plumbing to go live in a grass hut!)
It is sad when the views and opinions of some people, are forced upon others with manipulation and laws. But then what can you expect with this many people living off the planet all at once.
I know... I am falling off subject again.
Well, take care all! I am going back to tending to my plants!