Herbed

Is salvia divinorum the next hallucinogenic herb du jour?

Salvia is being targeted by lawmakers who are concerned that the inexpensive and easy-to-obtain plant could become the next marijuana. Eight states have already placed restrictions on salvia, and 16 others are considering a ban.

"As soon as we make one drug illegal, kids start looking around for other drugs they can buy legally. This is just the next one," said a Florida state rep who has introduced a bill to make possession of salvia a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Some say legislators are overreacting to a minor problem, but no one disputes that the plant impairs judgment and the ability to drive. Native to Mexico and still grown there, salvia divinorum is generally smoked but can also be chewed or made into a tea and drunk. Called nicknames like Sally-D, Magic Mint and Diviner's Sage, salvia is a hallucinogen that supposedly gives users an out-of-body sense of traveling through time and space or merging with inanimate objects. Unlike hallucinogens like LSD or PCP, however, salvia's effects last for a shorter time, generally up to an hour.

No known deaths have been attributed to salvia's use, but it was listed as a factor in one teen's suicide two years ago. Salvia's short-lasting effects and fact that it is currently legal may make it seem more appealing to teens, lawmakers say. In the suicide, the boy's mother told reporters that salvia made his mood darker but he justified its use by citing its legality. According to reports, the autopsy found no traces of the drug in his system, but the medical examiner listed it as a contributing cause.

An ounce of salvia leaves sells for around $30 on the Internet. A liquid extract from the plant, salvinorin A, is also sold in various strengths labeled "5x" through "60x." A gram of the 5x strength, about the weight of a plastic pen cap, is about $12 while 60x strength is around $65. And in some cases the extract comes in flavors including apple, strawberry and spearmint.

Among those who believe the commotion over the drug is overblown the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, a nonprofit group that does research on psychedelic drugs and whose goal is to develop psychedelics and marijuana into prescription medication. Sounds like a bunch of guys who also play Xbox and listen to Steve Miller albums.

"I think the move to criminalize is a misguided response to a very minimal problem," because salvia isn't "a party drug," "tastes terrible" and is "not going to be extremely popular." They dispute the fact teens are its main users and says older users are more likely.

"It's a minor drug in the world of psychedelics."

Moreover, it's hard to say how widespread the use of salvia is. National and state surveys on drug use don't include salvia, and because it is legal in most states, law enforcement officials don't compile statistics, either. San Diego State University last year surveyed more than 1,500 students and found that 4% of participants reported using salvia in the past year. Then again, Famous Mom smoked banana peels back in the day, so it just goes to show kids will try anything to get high.

The current bill would make salvia and its extract controlled substances in the same class as marijuana and LSD. Sorry, but it just doesn't sound like this herb measures up...and who really wants to do something that almost sounds the same as saliva?


UPDATE: Well, hot corn! I stand corrected. Who wants to get salviated with me?