Ohio Places Ban on Salvia
January 8th, 2009 by Perry
The mildly psychedelic plant, salvia divinorum, was recently classified as a Class A drug by Ohio’s governor, who signed into law a bill which makes the drug illegal to possess on the streets. The law will take effect in 90 days.
The ban comes amid a flurry of negative PR for the ancient Native American substance which produces a mild trip and has been linked to several incidents where teenagers have been seriously hurt due to abuse of the drug.
The herb, which is native to Mexico, induces a trip where users experience an altered depth perception and has led to blackouts on rare occasion. As with anything, if it can be used responsibly there shouldn’t be a reason to ban Salvia. too bad.
Debating the Legality of Salvia
November 5th, 2008 by Perry
They’re already getting ready to ban Salvia in Ohio. The Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill in April to make the herb and its active ingredient controlled substances; the bill is stalled in committee in the Ohio Senate.
Several other states (including Missouri, North Dakota, Illinois, Delaware, Kansas and Florida,) already have laws on the books considering the hallucinogenic herb a controlled substance.
From dozens of first-hand reports, I’ve heard it lasts anywhere from two minutes to a half hour and the effects range from hallucination to temporary paralysis while “peaking” under this drug’s effect.
According to opponents, “the plant’s effects range from mild relaxation and visual hallucinations to a state where users can’t move or feel pain,” said Monica Mertens, program director for the Pathway Family Center in Milford. But even though it’s been used for centuries in Native American ritual, it’s not necessarily safe for recreational use and might need further study before making heads or tails of this one.
