States fear plant could become next marijuana

[flashl]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — 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!" and "stock up while you still can."

That's because this species of salvia is being targeted by lawmakers concerned that the inexpensive and easy-to-obtain plant could become the next marijuana. Eight states including Illinois have placed restrictions on Salvia divinorum, and 16 others 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 divinorum a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

On Jan. 1, Salvia divinorum became a Schedule I substance in Illinois. Possession or sale is a felony, with legal consequences as severe as those for heroin or LSD.

Chicago Tribune

[Ian David]

1. Beware the plant!

[napi21]

2. Is that the same Salvia that you plant in your flower garden?

I haven't planted it in a long time, but my grandmother and mother always used it as a beautiful red addition to their gardens.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. This is ridiculous.

Nothing that can be grown and used in its natural form should be illegal. Where can I get some seeds?

[tridim]

6. You can buy it at your local head shop.

Not that I'm suggesting you do.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. Thank you, we do have one of those.

I'll check them out. I don't want my green thumb to go to waste. :hippie:

[notesdev]

4. That's right, kids!

Stay away from those naturally growing plants - if you want to get high, raid your parents' medicine cabinet!

[texastoast]

8. No shit

142 over-the-counter meds that contain dextromethorphan. One of my doctors calls DXM "morphine in boxcars" referring to the chemical construction.

Oh, but if we took it off the MARKET, the poor drug companies would lose money. Waa.

[tridim]

5. There is nothing like Cannabis IMO.

I've never tried Salvia, but from what I hear it's a serious hallucinogen and is nothing like Cannabis.

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

16. Tried it

I used to own some and I must say it is kind of awkward. Some people really like it but I thought it made me feel antsy and crawly. I lost my sense of physical balance while on it (it lasts only a few minutes typically) and yes there are hallucinogenic effects too. No pink dragons on clouds, but still pretty trippy.

[texastoast]

7. RIDIKKULUS!

Don't tell them about celery.

[jaksavage]

9. Aminita muscara

all natural, deadly mushrooms.

SD is seriously bad stuff
very disassociative. I mean, you black out and don't remember much, after one toke for me. Very short lasting, 1 minute.

[mike_c]

11. "...seriously bad stuff."

Well, your milage certainly varies from mine. Black out? Wow.

[MindPilot]

13. So you blacked out for a minute?

I can do that in front of the refrigerator stone cold sober.

"What the hell did I come in here for and why is the TV Guide under the milk?"

[mike_c]

10. fear! ignorance! pitchforks and torches!

What a crock of shit.

[angrycarpenter]

14. I've tried it.

It is like being on acid for about 10 minutes. Then the high goes away and you are perfectly back to reality about 15 minutes after smoking.

Not for people who have never experienced hallucinogens.

[Warpy]

15. Oh MY GAWD!!! Somebody might have FUN!!!!!!!!

Must stamp it out NOW. Bring up a generation of joyless worker bees who don't know that fun exists. Yes, that's the way to get to heaven.

[Skrelnick]

17. Marijuana and salvia could not be MORE different

Ugh, I hate ignorant soccer moms and the idiot politicians who listen to them regarding drug policy.

[JackInGreen]

18. Been there

Tried it, got very little from a few hits, the world was thrown into bright relief, like a simpsons episode, I felt a strong wind blow thru me, then it was gone....lasted about 30 seconds.
I'm unsure why it is that home grown intoxicants can be quantified as illegal, as if some daddy figure (to quote) is going to come down and say "Do what I say, or I'll fucking spank you." Literally, it would seem that the going policy is to either control it for sales or ban it as a danger, though little to no evidence exists, then run TV ads to back up the rhetoric.