[Lee Heggy]

The active compounds in Datura are variable in potency according to where it grows and at what time of the year. The effects vary by body weight and amounts ingested. A non leathal dose would be very much hit or miss. Most likely the latter. Unlike other hallucinogens that affect the senses yet allow some degree of thought process Datura scrambles the brain. Real brain damage can occur.

Horses are about the only animal that will unknowingly eat the stuff. Mules won't touch it. Guess they're just smarter than horses or people.

[MineralMan]

Datura was used by some Native American tribes for its hallucinogenic properties. It grows everywhere there is water in the Western US.

It's certainly not a new thing, although it may be to these kids. Lots of folks have gotten into trouble with this plant, because the dosage is so variable.

Stramonium was widely used in the 19th century as a medication, but was discontinued when better medications for sedation appeared. I don't believe its in the Pharmacopia any longer.

[zeugma]

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like an interesting compound. Fortunately I'm way past the age of experimentation in such things. :-)