Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Is Salvia the Next Marijuana?
AP/Google ^ | March 11 2 | JESSICA GRESKO

Posted on 03/11/2008 9:39:31 AM PDT by bahblahbah

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — On Web sites touting the mind-blowing powers of salvia divinorum, come-ons to buy the hallucinogenic herb are accompanied by warnings: "Time is running out! ... stock up while you still can."

That's because salvia is being targeted by lawmakers 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, including Florida, are considering a ban or have previously.

"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 Florida state Rep. Mary Brandenburg, 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 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 Delaware teen's suicide two years ago.

"Parents, I would say, are pretty clueless," said Jonathan Appel, an assistant professor of psychology and criminal justice at Tiffin University in Ohio who has studied the emergence of the substance. "It's much more powerful than marijuana."

Salvia's short-lasting effects and fact that it is currently legal may make it seem more appealing to teens, lawmakers say. In the Delaware 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.

Mike Strain, Louisiana's Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner and former legislator, helped his state in 2005 become the first to make salvia illegal, along with a number of other plants. He said the response has been largely positive.

"I got some hostile e-mails from people who sold these products," Strain said. "You don't make everybody happy when you outlaw drugs. You save one child and it's worth it."

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.

Web sites such as Salviadragon.com tout the product with images like a waterfall and rainbow and include testimonials like "It might sound far fetched, but I experience immortality."

Among those who believe the commotion over the drug is overblown is Rick Doblin of 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.

"I think the move to criminalize is a misguided response to a very minimal problem," Doblin said.

Doblin said salvia isn't "a party drug," "tastes terrible" and is "not going to be extremely popular." He disputes the fact teens are its main users and says older users are more likely.

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

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 percent of participants reported using salvia in the past year.

Brandenburg's bill would make salvia and its extract controlled substances in the same class as marijuana and LSD.

Florida state Sen. Evelyn Lynn, whose committee plans to study the salvia bill Tuesday, said the drug should be criminalized.

"I'd rather be at the front edge of preventing the dangers of the drug than waiting until we are the 40th or more," she said.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: marijuana; salvia; salviadivinorum
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-53 next last
I had never heard of the drug before.
1 posted on 03/11/2008 9:39:32 AM PDT by bahblahbah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah

I read it as saliva, initially.


2 posted on 03/11/2008 9:40:37 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick (The articles posted by me needn't necessarily reflect my opinion.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah

I’m sure most of the Ron Paul potheads have.


3 posted on 03/11/2008 9:41:07 AM PDT by april15Bendovr (Free Republic & Ron Paul Cult = oxymoron)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah

This was posted a few hours ago. I have used it and posted a reply. check it out if you want.


4 posted on 03/11/2008 9:41:09 AM PDT by When do we get liberated? ((Ok, Im the official Pit Bull Defender/If you can't stand behind our troops, stand in front of them.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah
I had never heard of the drug before.

Sally D. Don't worry...the high sucks. Most people won't try it more than once.

5 posted on 03/11/2008 9:41:09 AM PDT by Zevonismymuse
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah
If you think this is bad, don't google 'Jenkem'.
6 posted on 03/11/2008 9:42:50 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick (The articles posted by me needn't necessarily reflect my opinion.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CarrotAndStick

If it’s not totally illegal yet, it will be if these two guys have anything to say about it:

http://www.tvder60er.de/bilder/dragnet.jpg


7 posted on 03/11/2008 9:43:22 AM PDT by Nick Thimmesch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: april15Bendovr
I’m sure most of the Ron Paul potheads have.

Tonight's our crack pipe night. I'm not sure how we'll fit this drug into our schedule, considering that our parents will be using the basement all week.

8 posted on 03/11/2008 9:43:39 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: CarrotAndStick

“If you think this is bad, don’t google ‘Jenkem’.”

Gives new meaning to “Man, that’s some good ....”


9 posted on 03/11/2008 9:47:37 AM PDT by vietvet67
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah

Is this the same salvia plant you can buy at any garden center, including Walmart and online nurseries?


10 posted on 03/11/2008 9:48:57 AM PDT by nina0113 (If fences don't work, why does the White House have one?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah
No known deaths have been attributed to salvia's use, but it was listed as a factor in one Delaware teen's suicide two years ago.

Well shoot, if that's their rationale for criminalising something - it was a "factor" in some kid's suicide (which probably had a lot of other "factors" contributing to it as well) - then they might as well ban Dungeons and Dragons while they're at it.

11 posted on 03/11/2008 9:53:18 AM PDT by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (Men fight well when they know that no prisoners will be taken.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah
According to reports, the autopsy found no traces of the drug in his system, but the medical examiner listed it as a contributing cause.

Does this not alarm anyone else???
12 posted on 03/11/2008 9:53:29 AM PDT by MinnesotaLibertarian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah

Sage wisdom?


13 posted on 03/11/2008 9:53:45 AM PDT by manic4organic (Send a care package through USO today.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah

I smoked it before. It’s effects are FAR FAR stronger than marijuana. It is more like an extremely potent hallucinogen. It is actually a very scary intoxicant-—it produces a very strong “trip” that is not pleasant or fun.


14 posted on 03/11/2008 9:53:47 AM PDT by ChurtleDawg (voting only encourages them)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah

I’ll just stick with Datura.


15 posted on 03/11/2008 9:54:11 AM PDT by Westlander (Unleash the Neutron Bomb)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

I could have sworn Wednesday was crack night - I thought tonight was hooker night. Maybe we can use all that leftover Soros money to get some of those high-class ladies Spitzer likes...


16 posted on 03/11/2008 9:55:02 AM PDT by MinnesotaLibertarian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: MinnesotaLibertarian
Business as usual for the WoD...

Salvia really is the next marijuana I guess: natural, relatively safe, and a one-way ticket to a few years in jail.

17 posted on 03/11/2008 9:55:08 AM PDT by underground
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah
I heard this argument 20 years ago. The answer would seem to be NO. If it was the next marijuana, potheads would have figured it out 40 years ago.

Banana Peels anyone?

18 posted on 03/11/2008 9:55:45 AM PDT by BallyBill (Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah

Saliva?

There’s that much of a kick in swapping spit?


19 posted on 03/11/2008 9:56:01 AM PDT by weegee (I hold out HOPE that neither Obama or Clinton will get the office to push thru their Marxist plans.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bahblahbah
D@mnded do-gooders. While their at it they should ban cow poop. After all that is where magic mushrooms come from. It's for the children.
20 posted on 03/11/2008 9:56:34 AM PDT by beltfed308 (Heller: The defining moment of our Republic)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-53 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson