Friends of Erowid,

Now that we're finally finished with taxes, we can get back to letting you all know what we've been up to.

First, we are pleased to offer a special new membership gift for donations of $750 or higher. The "Visionary Synthesis" print features two fine art photos of Alexander Shulgin's lab taken by photographer Michael Rauner and signed by both Rauner and Dr. Shulgin. For details about these numbered, limited edition diptychs, see: Erowid.org/donations/incentives_special4.php

As always, we welcome submissions, suggestions, criticisms, or corrections at submissions@erowid.org.

peace,
fire & earth

1. Art Vault Curator Takes A Leave of Absence
   Erowid.org/art/
   
   The curator of Erowid's Visionary Art Vaults, CB, will be taking an extended leave of absence to give him more time with his new family. He has managed the Art Vaults for more than six years and while we will miss him, we're also very supportive of his desire to spend time with his new child.
   
   
2. Transcription of Alexander Shulgin's Lab Books
   Erowid.org/library/books_online/shulgin_labbooks/
   
   Erowid is working to transcribe the scanned pages of Dr. Shulgin's lab books into searchable text. We're currently working on the first book, but are expecting to get the scans of the second book in hand soon. We're very excited about this project. If you're interested in helping with either transcription or proofreading, please fill out the volunteer form at: Erowid.org/general/about/about_volunteers.shtml
   
   
3. New Ethylcathinone Vault
   Erowid.org/chemicals/ethylcathinone/ethylcathinone.shtml
   
   Includes general information, links, legal status and chemistry information about this rare research chemical.
   
   
4. New 4-Methylmethcathinone Vault
   Erowid.org/chemicals/4_methylmethcathinone/4_methylmethcathinone.shtml
   
   Includes general information, links, legal status, images, and chemistry info for this rare research chemical.
   
   
5. Guide to DXM in Nonprescription Drugs (Major Update)
   Erowid.org/chemicals/dxm/dxm_info2.shtml
   
   Each entry was checked against online product information; some product lines and ingredients lists have seen changes since the last version of this document.
   
   
6. Casey Hardison Vault (Major Update)
   Erowid.org/culture/characters/hardison_casey/
   
   News and new links about Casey Hardison, who launched civil legal actions following the UK Secretary of State's opposition to his request for Judicial Review of his case (conviction for manufacture of LSD, DMT, and 2C-B).
   
   Civil Action Legal Arguments, by Casey Hardison
   Erowid.org/culture/characters/hardison_casey/hardison_casey_info1.shtml
   
   Hardison Speech Played At World Psychedelic Forum
   Erowid.org/culture/characters/hardison_casey/hardison_casey_2008_wpf_speech.shtml
   
   
7. Department of Defense Stops Testing for LSD
   Erowid.org/chemicals/lsd/lsd_media3.shtml
   
   An article from the Feb 18, 2008 Military Times describing the military's decision to stop testing for LSD.
   
   
8. EU Council Directs Member States to Control BZP (PDF)
   Erowid.org/chemicals/bzp/bzp_law3.pdf
   
   On March 3, 2008, the Council of the European Union issued a decision directing member states to move to control BZP because of its recreational use.
   
   
9. Five new images were added, including:
   
   Pharmaceutical Heroin
   Erowid.org/chemicals/show_image.php?i=heroin/heroin_ampule__i2007e1730_disp.jpg
   
   4-Methylmethcathinone Powder
   Erowid.org/chemicals/show_image.php?i=4_methylmethcathinone/4_methylmethcathinone_powder__i2007e2101_disp.jpg
   
   
10. Library/Bookstore - Eleven books added, including:
    Erowid.org/library/books/
    
    The Elixir: An Alchemical Study of the Ergot Mushrooms, by W.S. Shelley
    Erowid.org/library/books/elixir_alchemical_study.shtml
    
    Tobacco and Its Use in Africa, by Berthold Laufer et al.
    Erowid.org/library/books/tobacco_and_its.shtml
    
    Psychedelic Medicine, by Michael Winkelman & Tom Roberts
    Erowid.org/library/books/psychedelic_medicine.shtml
    
    
11. Art Vaults
    Erowid.org/culture/art/
    
    March Featured Artist: Winn Wright
    Erowid.org/culture/art/artists_w/art_wright_winn.shtml
    
    
12. The Erowid Review, four reviews added:
    Erowid.org/review/
    
    Psychedelic Medicine, reviewed by R. S. Kowalczyk
    Erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=258
    
    The Antipodes of the Mind, reviewed by Thomas B. Roberts
    Erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=259
    
    Psychosis, reviewed by Adolfo
    Erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=257
    
    Hofmann's Potion, reviewed by Thomas B. Roberts
    Erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=256
    
    
13. 441 New Experience Reports
    Erowid.org/experiences/exp.cgi?DateRange&Y1=2008&M1=02&D1=12&M2=04&D2=14
    
    One of the top rated experiences published was:
    
    "The Swish of the Schacapa" (Ayahuasca), by Dillon
    Erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=68635
    
    

For a more complete listing of What's New at Erowid go to:
Erowid.org/new.php

Conducts laboratory testing of street Ecstasy tablets.

Between Jan 29 and Apr 15, results were posted for 10 tablets tested by various police organizations as published in the DEA's Microgram. http://ecstasydata.org/results.php?A=SearchAll&Start=0&S=DEA&SField=SourceOrg

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its future development, please consider becoming a member or making
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Erowid.org/donations/

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