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Great thread idea!
To me, the use of entheogenic chemicals do 'count' as being spiritual, though I feel it's important for them not to BE the spirituality itself, and it's largely dependent on the intent of use. They're not the Truth in itself, but can point one in the right direction. It's the fact that one can reflect on life, situations, koans, prayers, etc and receive a different angle of insight, and then in the sober state reflect on the 'high' insight and extract elements of understanding and apply it to daily life.
Even chemicals that aren't typically seen as entheogens can be spiritual. For example, opiates can induce a tranquil state, and mixed with a small amount of MDMA it can provide very strong states of inner peace and appreciation, allowing the individual to question their levels of peace/appreciation for the world around them when they're sober.
What ISN'T spiritual is when the user is taking the drug for the purpose of entering this state for mere satisfaction and yearns for it when not under the influence, due to discomfort of the world around them or even addiction. Then the chemical has the opposite effect and ends in bad results.
There are even many that use entheogens without the intent of receiving insight and do receive insight that allows them to crawl more out of their box, and perhaps aids them in graduating into more formal practices of exploring the mind and Self like Vedanta or Buddhism.
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