Salvia divinorum

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iDiviner's sage
Three well established Salvia divinorum plants.
Three well established Salvia divinorum plants.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Species: S. divinorum
Binomial name
Salvia divinorum
Epling & Játiva

Salvia divinorum, also known as Diviner's Sage, Magic Mint, Sally D, Ska María Pastora, or simply Salvia (although the genus name is shared among many plants) is a powerful psychoactive plant, a member of the sage genus and the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It has long been used as an entheogen by the indigenous Mazatec shamans for healing during spirit journeys. Salvia divinorum is also used ornamentally, as it is a beautiful houseplant. The plant is found in isolated, shaded and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It is thought to be a cultigen, as no definitively wild populations have been found.

The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to "Sage of the seers". The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin salvare, meaning "to heal" or "to save".

The primary psychoactive constituent is a diterpenoid known as salvinorin A.

Contents

[edit] History

Salvia divinorum was first recorded in print by Jean Basset Johnston in 1939 as he was studying the psilocybin mushroom use of the Mazatecs in Mexico. R. Gordon Wasson later documented its usage and reported its effects through personal testimonials. Additional historical references are lacking. It was not until the 1990s that this plant's properties became widely known through the experiment and report of Daniel Siebert.

It is likely that Salvia divinorum has a longstanding relationship with humans. Wasson theorized that this plant was the mythological pipilzintzintli, the "Noble Prince" of the Aztec codices. However, this theory is not without dispute. The Aztecs were extremely knowledgeable in plant identification, and their records report that pipilzintzintli has both male and female varieties. Salvia divinorum, however, is monoecious, meaning it produces flowers of both sexes on a single plant. Skeptics of this theory report that the Aztecs would have known the difference between male and female flowers. Wasson gains validity, however, as a number of Aztec historical accounts classify plants as male or female in a metaphorical, rather than botanically anatomical manner.

[edit] Botany

Flowering Salvia divinorum
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Flowering Salvia divinorum

Unlike other species of salvia, Salvia divinorum produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. For an unknown reason, pollen fertility is reduced. There is no active pollen tube inhibition within the style, but some event or process after the pollen tube reaches the ovary is aberrant (Reisfield).[1] Partial sterility is often suggestive of a hybrid origin, although no species have been recognized as possible parent species. The ability to grow indistinguishable plants from seeds produced by self pollination also weakens the hybrid theory of origin, instead implying inbreeding depression, or an undiscovered incompatibility mechanism. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or layering. Although (Valdes, et al)[2] isolated strands of S. divinorum exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the Mazatec people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.

All known specimens are clones from a small number of collected plants. Two strains are in major circulation: the Wasson/Hofmann strain, obtained upon request from a Mazatec shaman in Oaxaca in 1962, and the Blosser ('Palatable') strain, obtained around 1980. The 'Palatable' strain is said to have a more acceptable taste than the Wasson/Hofmann strain, although most reports suggest that there is little difference.

Additional ‘commercial’ strains are in circulation, but all seem to be similar in potency, effect, and growth. The numerous different names that can be found have more to do with marketing than with the formal identification of botanically distinct strains.

[edit] Chemistry

Salvinorin A
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Salvinorin A

The active constituent is a trans-neoclerodane diterpenoid known as Salvinorin A, chemical formula C23H28O8. Unlike most other known psychoactive compounds, salvinorin A is not an alkaloid — it does not contain a basic nitrogen atom.

Salvinorin A is the most potent naturally-occurring psychoactive compound known. It is active at doses as low as 100 µg [2]. Recent research has shown that salvinorin A is a potent and selective κ (kappa) opioid receptor agonist. It has been reported[3] that the effects of salvinorin A in mice are blocked by kappa opioid receptor antagonists. This makes it unlikely that another mechanism contributes independently to the compound’s effects. Salvinorin A is unique in that it is the only naturally occurring substance known to induce a visionary state via this mode of action.

According to Daniel Siebert in his Salvia Divinorum FAQ, the extraction and purification of salvinorin A should only be attempted by qualified researchers with experience in chemistry and the proper laboratory equipment, particularly as measurement of safe dosages is difficult. Though salvinorin A can be vaporized and inhaled, the overwhelming potency of even minute quantities of salvinorin A makes a sophisticated analytical balance essential for measuring a safe dose. However, rather than trying to obtain pure salvinorin crystals, many less technically qualified choose to produce a concentrate, starting from a given amount of leaf mass, for the purpose of making enhanced strength leaf. The resulting wax/crystal mix from such partial extraction is then returned to a smaller amount of leaf or a substrate. By choosing the amount of leaf or substrate to deposit the mix onto, the dosage is controlled by the ratio of substrate to original leaf mass.

Salvinorin's potency should not be confused with toxicity. Rodents chronically exposed to dosages many times greater than those humans are exposed to did not show signs of organ damage.[4]

Many other terpenoids have been isolated from S. divinorum, including other salvinorins and related compounds named divinatorins and salvinicins. None of these compounds has shown significant (sub-micromolar) affinity at the kappa opioid receptor, and there is no evidence that they contribute to the plant's psychoactivity. A thorough scientific review of the chemistry and pharmacology of this species is available.[5]

[edit] Ingestion

Nearly pure crystalline salvinorin extracted from Salvia divinorum using commonly available chemicals
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Nearly pure crystalline salvinorin extracted from Salvia divinorum using commonly available chemicals

[edit] Traditional methods

Mazatec shamans use two methods of ingestion. Often they simply eat the fresh leaves by chewing and swallowing them. Sometimes they crush the leaves to extract the leaf juices, which they then drink (usually mixed with water). Reportedly, dosages vary from as few as 6 leaves to as many as 120 when using these methods.

[edit] Modern methods

Dry leaves can be smoked in a pipe but most users prefer the use of a water pipe to cool the smoke. The temperature required to release salvinorin A from the plant material is quite high (about 240°C). A regular flame will work, but the direct application of something more intense, such as the flame produced from a butane torch lighter, is often preferred.

Many people find that smoking the unprocessed dried Salvia leaf produces only light or unnoticeable effects, perhaps due to the large volume of plant material that must be smoked to produce psychoactive effects. However, responses vary widely. A concentrated preparation of Salvia leaf called Salvia extract, with relative strength suggested by terms such as 5x, 10x, 15x, 20x, 40x, etc, may be smoked in place of natural strength leaves; this reduces the total amount of smoke inhaled for a given dosage of salvinorin overall, and facilitates more powerful experiences.

Sublingually ingested tinctures constitute another form of prepared Salvia.

The traditional Mazatec method may also be employed. However, salvinorin A is generally considered to be inactive when simply ingested as the chemical is effectively deactivated by the gastrointestinal system [3]. Therefore, the 'quid' of leaves is held in the mouth as long as possible in order to facilitate absorption of the active constituents through the oral mucosa. Chewing consumes more of the plant than smoking, and also produces a longer-lasting experience.

[edit] Attainment of effect

Some types of people seem to be particularly resistant to the effects even after repeated attempts. Others find their sensitivity quite variable from one experience to the next. Regardless of sensitivity which may be established in the longer term, many people fail to achieve significant effects with their initial attempts. Anecdotal reports suggest for some the possibility of increasingly stronger effects with repeated use of similar amounts of Salvia. This could be attributable to the practice and learning of more efficient ingestion techniques. Some suggest however that 'reverse tolerance' or increased sensitisation may otherwise be a phenomenon of the active principle.

Onset of the effects may be subtle and not immediately noticeable. There is often a few seconds of preceding latency. In any case, caution is advised if considering further ingestion before time has been allowed for prior amounts to clear the system.

[edit] Duration of effect

If Salvia is smoked the main effects are experienced quickly. The most intense 'peak' is reached within a minute or so and lasts for about 1-5 minutes, followed by a gradual tapering back. At 5-10 minutes, less intense yet still appreciable effects typically persist, but giving way to a returning sense of the more everyday and familiar until back to recognisable baseline after about 15-20 minutes. [4]

Chewing the leaf makes the effects come on more slowly, over a period of 10-15 minutes, the experience then lasting for about 40-50 minutes.

[edit] Experience

One 0.75mg dose of extracted salvinorin on a sheet of foil
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One 0.75mg dose of extracted salvinorin on a sheet of foil

Psychedelic experiences, in relating by definition to realms of mind, are necessarily somewhat subjective. Individual variations in reported effects are to be expected. However, from the many experience accounts posted to the Internet (Erowid has almost 700 entries) some general trends can be vouched.

Most people find that the effects of salvinorin are not conducive to socializing, thus those with any experience with the plant emphasize that Salvia is not a ‘party drug’. External stimuli can be distracting. The experience can be disorienting and dissociative. Getting up and moving around with motor-control affected thus could be troublesome. It is advisable to have a sober trip sitter present, particularly for initial experiences, prior to possible assessment of individual sensitivity.

The effects of Salvia are regarded by many to be highly spiritual. Many find Salvia useful for meditation. Consciousness is retained until the highest doses, but body control, awareness of the external environment, and individual personality may be affected with even modest amounts. Even those experienced with the use of other psychoactive substances may feel confused and out of control.

At lower doses spontaneous laughter, mild closed-eye visuals, stuttering or strobing visual effects, changes in depth perception, and a heightened sense of color and texture may be experienced.

Moderate doses appear trance-like. Time distortion and open-eye visuals become increasingly apparent. Fractal patterns and geometric shapes may be noticeable with eyes open, and can be confusing. Many people experience sensations of falling, similar to, but more pronounced than what is occasionally felt at the onset of sleep. The user may experience fully formed visions of other places, people, and events, especially with eyes closed.

At high doses the effects become more powerful and may additionally include reports of out-of-body experiences, perceptions of dimensional distortion, vertigo, feelings of intense exhilaration and/or panic, sensations of wind or physical pressure, hearing voices, flanging of sound, significant open and closed-eye visuals, experiencing alternate realities, visiting parallel universes, life changing experiences, contact with beings or entities, dissolution of one's ego, dissociation and loss of speech. Many users report twisting or splitting feelings. Ordinary objects can morph into powerful visually animated creatures. It is also not unusual that, while experiencing the effects, a person will not remember that they have taken Salvia, which can cause the user to panic. A strong feeling of déjà vu is commonly reported as an effect of large doses of Salvia.

The experience is quite different from that of most other psychoactives and may be overwhelming, even with a conducive, reassuring and comfortable set and setting. Most Salvia practitioners recommend darkness and silence as the best environment; however, minimal, ambient or relaxing music can be helpful.

According to experience reports at Erowid and elsewhere, Salvia seems to produce visions which have a somewhat higher level of consistency than other substances. Reports of contact with an entity supposedly associated with the plant, ("the Shepherdess/Salvia Goddess") again with fairly consistent characteristics, are also common.

Many Salvia users, during high-dose out-of-body experiences, may suddenly 'merge' with objects. With the significant time distortion typical of Salvia, participants may report the feeling of living a lifetime as another person, or as an inanimate object, such as a wall or a piece of furniture.

The experiences can be pleasant, or frightening and confusing [5].

Interestingly, the effects of Salvia divinorum are often mistakenly described as 'LSD-like' by people who have not tried it, most notably politicians and reporters. Actual users[6] on the other hand more often describe its effects as unique (38.4%), and more like meditation, yoga or a trance (23.2%). This compares to only 17.7% of users who liken it to any of the other serotonergic psychoactives (mescaline, psilocybin, LSD, etc.).

[edit] Expression

Salvia can shift perception into altered states of consciousness and sensation. Such powerful experiences may be interpreted as enlightening, frightening, or just plain strange. Many take time to integrate and try to make sense of their experience in the hours, days or weeks following. Some find it useful to be alone for an hour or so to gather thoughts and absorb the experience. Others find it is useful to talk through, sharing the imagery and ideas with another person. For some the experience is so far removed from everyday reality they find it difficult to describe. Recall may be likened to that of an elusive dream, with memory quickly fading on wakening.

Many feel compelled to communicate details of their experiences to a wider audience, as evidenced by the numerous reports posted on the Internet on various websites and forums. As well as such firsthand phenomenological accounts some may go on to write more extensive prose and/or poetry [6]. A remarkable example of such inspired writing is Dale Pendell’s Salvia divinorum chapter from his book Pharmako/poeia which won the 1996 Firecracker Alternative Book Award.[7]

Although Salvia experiences can be quite conceptual and abstract for some, many people describe their visions more pictorially. Rather than using words, for some temperaments the strong visual motifs are best rendered in the form of drawing or painting. Examples of such Salvia inspired artwork can readily be found on the Internet, [8] [9], including music [10].

[edit] After effects

[edit] Short term

After the main intoxication normal awareness of self and the immediate surroundings returns but lingering effects may be felt. These short-term lingering effects have a completely different character than the experience of the main intoxication. About half of users report a pleasing 'afterglow', or pleasant state of mind following the main intoxication. Researchers (Baggot, et al) from the University of San Francisco conducted a survey of 500 Salvia users[6] which identified that they 'sometimes or often' experience the following common (>20% occurrence) effects that linger following the main intoxication:

  • Increased insight - 47%
  • Improved mood - 44.8%
  • Calmness - 42.2%
  • Increased connection with universe or nature - 39.8%
  • Weird thoughts - 36.4%
  • Things seem unreal - 32.4%
  • Floating feeling - 32%
  • Increased sweating - 28.2%
  • Body felt warm or hot - 25.2%
  • Mind racing - 23.2%
  • Lightheaded - 22.2%
  • Increased self-confidence - 21.6%

According to some notable sources (principally Daniel Siebert’s sagewisdom website) a few people report mild headache, insomnia, irritability or bronchial irritation after taking Salvia. These symptoms seem to be reported more often by smokers than by quid chewers.

[edit] Longer term

While 'improved mood' is one of the most commonly noted short-term effects following the primary intoxication, Baggot's Salvia user survey[6] results also found that 25.8% of respondents reported antidepressant-like mood improvements lasting 24 hours or longer. These findings are in-line with known properties of K-Opioid agonists as well as anecdotal reports and findings of clinicians.

Both scientific and anecdotal user evidence indicates that chemical constituents of Salvia may have potential as therapy for drug addictions to dangerous stimulants (e.g., amphetamines) and opiates. Research has shown that the plant contains neoclerodane diterpenes that have therapeutic potential for helping people who have drug abuse problems. The neoclerodane diterpenes in Salvia are k-Opioid agonists. k-Opioid agonists, according to Tidgewell et al, (AAPS Journal), "possess utility in the treatment of opioid dependence and have been shown to have anti-depressant activity as well as block stress-induced behavior responses."

Most users report no hangover or negative after-effects the next day. This is consistent with the apparent low toxicity of Salvia indicated by research conducted at the University of Nebraska.

Some media reports have raised concerns about the possibility of LSD-like flashbacks occurring after use of Salvia. Reports of flashbacks have not been established. At least one user reported experiencing ongoing negative psychological effects, having three flashback experiences in four months after taking a concentrated form of Salvia (10x extract). Though the linked account does mention other drug usage in a couple of cases: "During one of them I had smoked absurd amounts of marijuana, and during another I was on shrooms". Salvia flashbacks may be true enough but also ordinarily quite rare phenomena.

Salvia has not been found to be either physically or psychologically addictive. The results of the Baggot survey, which used the standard psychiatric drug dependence diagnostic framework, indicate that Salvia has little if any potential as a drug of dependence. While there are no proven health risks associated with the use of Salvia as a psychoactive drug, medical professionals generally caution against the ingestion of smoke from any substance into the lungs. Salvia's long-term effects on the human body are not well known at this time. Further study of its indigenous use in Mexico and its effect on the health of the Mazatec people who have been using it for centuries would be useful in this regard.

[edit] Scientific studies

Results from a study by William A. Carlezon et al[7] using ‘Forced-Swim tests’ (where rodents are forced to swim in a narrow cylinder from which they cannot escape) have been used to suggest that Salvia divinorum may have “Depressive-Like Effects”. However, extrapolation from the observation of temporary physiological effects in rats to suggest more serious psychological consequences is questionable, particularly given that Salvia’s short-term effects on motor-control have already been observed and well documented in human subjects.

A report on several Salvia species[8] has looked at the efficacy of some ‘folk’ uses of the genus. Salvia divinorum, as one of the species included in the study, was found to work as a diuretic.

[edit] Controversy

The relatively recent emergence of Salvia divinorum in modern Western culture in comparison to its long traditions of indigenous use elsewhere contrasts widely differing attitudes on the subject.

The opinion that Salvia divinorum is a highly dangerous hallucinogenic drug appropriate for Schedule I or equivalent classification has been sufficiently prevalent amongst politicians to result in the enactment of various laws against its cultivation, sale or use in a number of countries and in some states in the US.

Opponents of such prohibitive measures argue that this maybe more reflects an inherent prejudice and particular cultural bias rather than the actual balance of evidence, pointing out inconsistencies in attitudes to other more toxic and/or addictive drugs such as alcohol and nicotine.

Those advocating consideration of Salvia divinorum’s potential for beneficial use in a modern context argue that more could be learned from Mazatec culture, where Salvia is not really associated with notions of drug taking at all and it is rather considered as a spiritual sacrament. In light of this it is argued that Salvia divinorum could be better understood more positively as an entheogen rather than pejoratively as a hallucinogen.

Other entheogenic plants with traditions of spiritual use include peyote (and other psychoactive cacti), iboga, virola, ayahuasca (an admixture of plants containing DMT + MAOI), and various types of psychoactive fungi.

In fact, US legislation specifically allows two of these to be used in a spiritual context. The Native American Church is allowed to use peyote and Uniao do Vegetal (or UDV) is permitted ayahuasca. Although not consistently granted (varying from state to state), the principal grounds for such concessions are constitutional.[9]

Other and related controversies will be covered more generally in Wikipedia articles such as War on Drugs, Arguments for and against drug prohibition and Prohibition (drugs).

[edit] Legal status

Press accounts of efforts to ban Salvia often quote law enforcement and government officials who exhibit an inaccurate knowledge of the plant's effects, and frequently characterize the drug as "chewable marijuana", or as "like LSD", two drugs with quite dissimilar effects to each other as well as to Salvia.

Unlike marijuana, Salvia has a nondescript appearance (being in the same genus as cooking sage), can be grown in a small space, has no odor and requires no elaborate lighting set-up. For these reasons, criminalization is likely to affect only the commercial sale of the plant, and not its private cultivation, which would be very difficult to police.

Before the late 1980s not many people knew about Salvia. The fact that the plant was not prohibited along with the rise of the Internet since the mid-1990s saw the growth of many businesses selling dried Salvia leaves, extracts and other preparations.

There are legislative controls of Salvia in one form or another in some countries including, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, North Korea and some American States.

[edit] Australia

As of 1st June 2002, Australia became the first country to ban Salvia and salvinorin [11]. According to the Australian Drugs and Poisons Committee Salvia had not yet shown evidence of damage or threat to public health/safety but had potential to be abused. In a statement which has been criticised as self-negating the committee said, "There was no evidence of traditional therapeutic use other than in shamanistic healing rituals".

[edit] Denmark

In early 2004, Salvia divinorum became illegal in Denmark. The decision was based on story in the newspaper "Politiken" about two drug addicts allegedly experiencing a bad trip and it causing mental damage.

[edit] Sweden

In January 2006, the Swedish government declared their intention to make salvinorin A and all plants containing the chemical illegal. This law has been in effect since 1st March 2006.

[edit] Italy

In August 2004, the Italian government decreed salvinorin A "a substance with hallucinogenic properties that may cause conditions of abuse and can manifest latent psychiatric pathologies like acute psychosis and depressive psychosis even in an irreversible way" and put it and the plant Salvia divinorum on their ‘table I’ of outlawed psychotropic substances in March 2005. The Italian government referred to an evaluation of Salvia made by the Italian National Health Institute, assessing it as "a powerful natural hallucinogen" to justify their decision. The Italian Ministry of Heath Decree (in Italian) (Google translated into English)

[edit] Canada

There has been media interest drawing attention to Salvia divinorum's availability in Canada [12], but there are currently no plans to regulate the herb.

[edit] United Kingdom

In September 2001, in answer to a parliamentary question from Ann Widdecombe MP, asking the Secretary of State for the Home Department "what plans he has to review the legal status of the hallucinogen Salvia divinorum". Bob Ainsworth, a parliamentary Under-Secretary, for the UK Home Office, stated that there were "no current plans to review it's legal status" [13].

Following a local newspaper story [14] in October 2005 Bassetlaw MP John Mann raised an Early Day Motion calling for Salvia divinorum to be banned in the UK (EDM796) [15]. The motion only received 11 signatures. It has not been debated or further escalated.

[edit] United States

The DEA has indicated on its website that it is aware of Salvia divinorum and is evaluating the plant for possible scheduling.

In late 2002, Rep. Joe Baca (D- California) introduced a bill (Congress bill HR 5607) to schedule Salvia as a controlled substance at the national level. Those opposed to Joe Baca’s bill include Daniel Siebert, who sent a letter to Congress arguing against the proposed legislation, and the Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics (CCLE), who sent key members of the US Congress a report on Salvia divinorum and its active principle,[10] along with letters from an array of scientists who expressed concern that scheduling Salvia divinorum would negatively impact important research on the plant. Baca’s bill did not pass. Despite this a number of States have introduced or are proposing their own legislation.

[edit] Louisiana

Effective from 8th August 2005 (signed into law on 28th June 2005) Louisiana Act No 159 made 40 plants, including Salvia divinorum, illegal if sold for human consumption. It is still legal to own the plants. Simple possession of an illegal form of Salvia is a felony for which the maximum sentence is 5 years, production (even for personal use) or distribution (even for free) has a maximum sentence of 10 years and a minimum sentence of 2 years; in addition the defendant can even be sentenced to hard labor for either offense.

[edit] Missouri

On 5th January 2005 Representative Rachel L. Bringer introduced House Bill 165 to the Missouri State legislature. This bill sought to add Salvia divinorum to that state’s list of Schedule I controlled substances. Despite the CCLE sending a letter to Representative Bringer advising of its earlier report to Congress[10] the following month saw the introduction of House Bill 633, which sought to place Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A in Schedule I and also proposed to add 12 other substances to Missouri’s list of controlled substances. This second bill was introduced on 23rd February 2005 by Representative Scott A. Lipke (R) and Representative Bringer. On 28th August 2005, the bill was incorporated into section 195.017 of the state’s drug regulation statutes. Thus, Salvia divinorum became a Schedule I substance in the state of Missouri. Possession is a Class C felony under MRS 195.202 (and thus is considered by the law as serious as first degree child molestation, see MRS 566.067), which allows a maximum sentence of 7 years.

[edit] Illinois

On 19th January 2006, Senator John J. Millner (R) introduced Senate Bill 2589 to the Illinois State Legislature. This bill seeks to add Salvia divinorum to that state’s list of Schedule I controlled substances.

[edit] Delaware

On 23rd January 2006 Delaware teenager Brett Chidester took his own life by climbing into a tent with a charcoal grill - he died of carbon monoxide poisoning [16]. In an essay found after his death, he wrote "Salvia allows us to give up our senses and wander in the interdimensional time and space,... Also, and this is probably hard for most to accept, our existence in general is pointless. Final point: Us earthly humans are nothing." Although being written earlier, Brett’s notes have subsequently been presented in media reports as if they were part of his suicide note. Brett's suicide note did not mention Salvia. There are arguably more relevant factors, with the extent and significance of Brett’s use of alcohol being a matter of contention [17], and it being reported that Brett had been suffering from depression anyway. Given the details of Brett's suicide, in particular its premeditated nature and slow method, it is unlikely that he was immediately under Salvia divinorum’s influence at the time of his death. There have been no other reported cases of Salvia related suicides anywhere else in the world. Also, Brett had told his parents that he had actually ceased his experimentation with the plant.

Doubts have been expressed about the lack of evidence against Salvia in this case [18], despite this Senator Karen Peterson sponsored Senate Bill 259 (aka "Brett’s Law"), which passed as state legislation classifying Salvia divinorum as a Schedule I controlled substance.

Senator Karen Peterson and Brett’s parents Kathy and Dennis Chidester have subsequently continued to campaign for and support Schedule I legislation beyond their home state of Delaware. [19]

[edit] Tennessee

Tennessee has passed a law (HB2909/SB3247/TCA 39-17-452) that makes knowingly possessing, producing, manufacturing, distributing, or possessing with intent to produce, manufacture, or distribute the active chemical ingredient in the hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum a Class A misdemeanor. The law was to originally make it a felony, but it was amended. The Senate Bill was sponsored by Senator Tim Burchett (email) (R-Knoxville). It was signed into law on 19th May 2006 and went into effect on 1st July 2006. Tim Burchett stated, "We have enough problems with illegal drugs as it is without people promoting getting high from some glorified weed that’s been brought up from Mexico. The only people I’ve heard from who are opposed to making it illegal are those who are getting stoned on it." [20] [21] [22]

[edit] New York

New York is considering a bill (S04987)[23] that would place heavy civil penalties on the sale of the plant.

[edit] Utah

Rep. Paul Ray (email) proposed legislation on 28th November 2006, the morning after stories were broadcast on local news TV channel KSL [24]. Feedback comments submitted to KSL's website expressed concern about the amount of research he could have done in that time and criticism that he had reacted too hastily to an unbalanced media scare story, in response Paul Ray said, "What I am doing is not to protect the morons that use drugs, it is to protect the public from morons that use drugs" [25].

[edit] Maine

In December 2006 Rep. Chris Barstow (email) proposed legislation for the State of Maine. According to reports Chris Barstow believes Salvia "is a drug very similar to LSD" and "We need to have it banned as soon as possible". [26]

[edit] Other US states

Other US states including Oklahoma (HB2485), Alaska (SB 313), New Jersey (S1867)[27] are following suit with proposals for their own individual legislations. The result is likely to be an increasing 'patchwork' of different state laws restricting Salvia.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Reisfield, A. (1993). The Botany of Salvia divinorum (Labiatae). SIDA 15(3):349-366.[1]
  2. ^ Leander J. Valdes III, Jose Luis Diaz and Ara G. Paul (July 1982) Ethnopharmacology of Ska Maria Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Jativa-M)
  3. ^ Zhang, Y.; Butelman, E.; Schlussman, S.; Ho, A.; Kreek, M.: Effects of the plant-derived hallucinogen salvinorin A on basal dopamine levels in the caudate putamen and in a conditioned place aversion assay in mice: agonist actions at kappa opioid receptors. Psychopharmacology 2005, 179, 551–558. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-2087-0
  4. ^ Mowry M, Mosher M, Briner W. J Psychoactive Drugs. Acute physiologic and chronic histologic changes in rats and mice exposed to the unique hallucinogen salvinorin A. (2003) Jul-Sep;35(3):379-82. http://www.sagewisdom.org/mowryetal.pdf
  5. ^ Munro, T. A. (2006) The Chemistry of Salvia divinorum. PhD thesis, University of Melbourne, Australia.
  6. ^ a b c Baggott M, Erowid E, Erowid F. A Survey of Salvia divinorum Users Erowid Extracts. Jun 2004; 6: (pdf) 12-14.
  7. ^ Carlezon, et. al. "Depressive-Like Effects on the -Opioid Receptor Agonist Salvinorin A on Behavior and Neurochemistry in Rats" in Behavioral Pharmacology. 2006 Jan;316(1):440-7. Epub 2005 Oct 13
  8. ^ Imanshahid, Mohsen and Hossein Hosseinzadeh. "The Pharmocological Effects of Salvia species on the Central Nervous System" in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1898.
  9. ^ James Madison et al. (approved 25th September 1789, ratified 15th December 1791) the Bill of Rights; the First Amendment (with regard to the United States Constitution).
  10. ^ a b Richard Glen Boire (J.D), Ethan Russo (M.D.), Adam Richard Fish, Jake Bowman. (prepared September 2001, revised November 2002) "Salvia divinorum ~ Information Concerning the Plant and its Active Principle – (re. H.R. 5607)" (pdf) Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics (CCLE)

[edit] Further references

[edit] External links

[edit] Botany

[edit] Chemistry

[edit] Law

[edit] Forums

[edit] Media stories

- Follow-up story: "Lawmaker Responds to Investigative Report on Dangerous Herb", 28th November 2006.
- Cardall, Duane. KSL Editorial, 1st December 2006.
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