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.
Salvia Horror Stories Assist Lead to Ban, Maybe
November 11th, 2008 by Perry
With the growing popularity of the plant’s usage, inevitably there is also the occasional Salvia horror story, this one in particular told in pretty startling detail.
The biggest concern, as with any psychedelic drug, is in users who have a history of mental illness. Even more worrisome for those individuals is if they are “dosed” with the drug, which is to say they took the drug unknowingly.
Salvia, which has been used in Oaxaca for generations as a mild hallucinogenic, can have much more serious side effects including mild to severe schizophrenia for those with a genetic predisposition.
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.
Salvia Divinorum: Still Legal
December 14th, 2006 by Alex
Looks like another hard-hitting investigation has been wrapped up by a local Orlando, Florida news team. Man those action news reporters are so on the ball!
This time, Local 6 brought their trusty hidden cameras and walked straight into a headshop and *gasp* bought some Salvia Divinorum. How in the hell do they get away with this stuff? Oh yea, it’s completely legal.
Although outlawed in many parts of Europe and 5 states in the US, this drug is relatively harmless. Its effects last for about 3-5 minutes, but you really only get 2 minutes of peak effects. It takes multiple lighters at once or a butane torch to heat the S. Divinorum up enough to release the active chemical, so don’t try using matches.
So what does it actually feel like? Let’s ask a tFS staffer:
After about 2 seconds you get this light-headed euphoric sensation and it feels like you’re getting pulled through a tunnel. You get serious ass tunnel vision. After about 1 – 2 minutes, it’s over. Oh yeah, and it tastes like shit.
That pretty much sums it up. I have no idea how the article by Local 6 is considered news, but at least I get to make fun of it.
[via Local 6]
