Authorities ask why hallucinogenic herb is legal (Salvia)

[BlueMystic]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/met....2231b9d6.html

Authorities ask why hallucinogenic herb is legal

Web Posted: 05/26/2006 01:16 AM CDT

Karen Grace
KENS 5 Eyewitness News

A herb that makes you hallucinate is perfectly legal in Texas. The drug is sold without a prescription, and medical experts say it's dangerous.

At the Gas Pipe in Austin, Purple Sticky Salvia is sold for $20, along with a list of safety instructions on how to smoke it.

However, some argue that the list is not enough — the product should be banned by state and federal governments.

Purple Sticky Salvia is an all-natural hallucinogen, made from native plants used in landscaping. In Mexico, it has been used in religious ceremonies for centuries.

"It is something that I think it's very real, and has the potential to do some real damage," said Dr. John Roache, a clinical pharmacologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Roache is skeptical of the herb salvia divinorum, which can also be purchased online. One place it can't be found is on the Drug Enforcement Agency's list of controlled substances, and experts say that's a problem.

"I do consider it very dangerous, and I think it's only a matter of time before it will become illegal," Roache said.

Now teens are using it for their own trips.

"For a few minutes you see stuff, you hallucinate for a little bit," user Steve Fanning said.

D.A.R.E. coordinator Dep. George Little is baffled by the product's accessibility.

"There comes a time when somebody ought to say enough is enough," Little said.

He says if people are smoking it and hallucinating, then it needs to be off the market.

"Just because something's legal, doesn't necessarily make it right," Little said.

So far, a handful of states are considering outlawing this drug. Louisiana and Missouri have already done so, and several other countries have named it a controlled substance.

[BlueMystic]

At the Gas Pipe in Austin, Purple Sticky Salvia is sold for $20, along with a list of safety instructions on how to smoke it.

Leave it to some morons to start selling salvia extract at gas stations. WTF!?!

Wonder how much longer sally will last in it's current state of legality.

[Nahbus]

Just because something makes you trip, doesn't mean it's wrong, either.

[Abrad]

He says if people are smoking it and hallucinating, then it needs to be off the market.

This attitude really annoys SWIM. If something can get you high, and isn't alcohol, it should be banned.

[Voices]

These quotes make me think that people with 'good intentions' are the ones who desire a fascist police state.

:"I do consider it very dangerous, and I think it's only a matter of time before it will become illegal," Roache said.

:"There comes a time when somebody ought to say enough is enough," Little said.

He says if people are smoking it and hallucinating, then it needs to be off the market.

"Just because something's legal, doesn't necessarily make it right," Little said.

[Mr. Giraffe]

I note that the article states that medical experts say it is dangerous, and then conspicously fails to either list the alleged health dangers or to quote any of these 'experts'.

[hh339]

hmmm, of course(damn it)it should be legal. marketing it at gas stations, maybe not. though i think it should be legal to sell and legal to use, i just get a feeling that some disasters are coming up IF these places recommend it and sell it to people who does not really understand what they are about to smoke. on the other hand, maybe people will learn a valuable lesson. just imagine the hung-over 50 year old truck driver stopping by to get some smokes and decides to try it out. LOOOOOOOOOOL i changed my mind, keep it legal in the gas stations!

[Sklander]

Just a note, The Gas Pipe is a pipe store in Austin. Its pretty badass. SWIM has been there many times. It is definitely not a gas station.

[BlueMystic]

^ That's good to hear.

Sounds to me like this 'purple sticky' brand salvia is being marketed to spark an interest in cannabis enthusiasts.