Arrests over salvia divinorum
Arrests are continuing around the country as more states, counties and towns are passing bans on salvia divinorum. In April 2009, three businesses were issued citations for violating the Ocean City Maryland ban on possession of the plant. That ban took effect recently after passage of an emergency law on August 3, 2008. On August 18, 2009 in Dewey Beach, Delaware the police arrested three men for having cigarettes rolled with salvia. Police initially thought the cigarettes contained marijuana until the results of testing came back showing it to be salvia.
Salvia Divinorum or salvia as it is commonly called is a plant like herb. Its use has been on the rise lately exceeding that of LSD and equaling ecstasy and other drugs. It is grown in Mexico and imported to the United States. The plant contains a chemical substance, which provides a hallucinogenic effect on the user. It is banned in numerous countries. In the United States, many states have a ban. In those states without a complete ban, many counties and towns have enacted their own laws prohibiting salvia use except as ground cover in gardens or for landscaping purposes.
At present the plant is not on the list of drugs criminalized by the federal government.
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Salvia – As the source of the most powerful natural hallucinogen known, salvia is drawing scrutiny from U.S. authorities who want to restrict this Mexican herb, now used recreationally by some. But neuroscientists worry that controlling it before studies have determined its safety profile is premature and could hamper research of the drug’s medicinal value. Increasingly, evidence is piling up that it could lead to new and safer antidepressants and pain relievers, as well as even help in improving treatments for such mental illnesses as schizophrenia and addiction.
Salvia divinorum (salvia) is a sage plant that is easily obtained in the United States. Its active ingredient, Salvinorin A, is a novel and highly selective pure kappa opiate receptor agonist with rapid onset and powerful hallucinogenic properties (1). Salvia has become increasingly popular as a drug of abuse when smoked. No long-term negative outcomes have been reported from the use of salvia. We present a case in which salvia precipitated persistent psychosis