Unicameral approves ban on sale, possession of Salvia
Scott Stewart
Issue date: 2/24/09 Section: News
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Legislative Bill 123 makes all parts of the Salvia divinorum plant, seeds, extracts and related compounds all classified as Schedule I controlled substances, the same classifications as psychedelic mushrooms and LSD.
The bill makes possession of Salvia a Class IV felony, which carries a maximum of 5 years in prison and $10,000 fine; and trafficking of Salvia a Class III felony, which carries a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and $25,000 fine.
Attorney General Jon Bruning, who led the campaign to ban Salvia in the state, said the herb was an extremely dangerous drug and public safety demanded it be banned.
"I'm pleased with the legislature's vote today to ban Salvia," Bruning said. "I think it is important that Salvia not be allowed to be used by members of the public."
Bruning attempted to get a bill through the Nebraska Legislature last session, but it died in committee. The bill was resurrected this year as LB 123 by Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber.
Salvia is a hallucinogen drug with intense but short-lived effects, appearing in less than one minute but lasting fewer than 30 minutes, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Effects include psychedelic changes in perception, feelings of detachment and a decreased ability to interact with one's surroundings.
The drug can be ingested by smoking, chewing fresh leaves or drinking extracted juices of the plant. It is widely available on the Internet.
Salvia has come under media scrutiny in recent years because of YouTube videos showing irresponsible behavior such as driving under the drug's influence.
Before gaining popularity among American youth, the drug was primarily used by shamans in Oaxaca, Mexico.
While the drug remains legal under federal laws, a growing number of states have passed laws to ban or restrict the sale of Salvia.
In California, for example, the sale of Salvia is prohibited to minors, whereas Kansas bans the plant outright, as the bill passed by the Nebraska Legislature does.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 14
John Public
posted 2/25/09 @ 10:28 AM CST
More rights being eroded under the guise of "public safety". How about we ban the laundry list of meds the attorney general is ingesting instead?
Bruno Marchal
posted 2/26/09 @ 2:47 AM CST
Salvia Divinorum is less dangerous than chocolate, aspirin or bikes, and FAR LESS dangerous than alcohol or smoked tobacco. The Youtube videos show only that the effect of salvia is similar to sleep, and it shows you cannot even think about driving a car when you are under its influence. (Continued…)
Tom
posted 2/26/09 @ 12:20 PM CST
Agreed.
Blue Jays
posted 2/26/09 @ 5:37 PM CST
Bruno Marchal, have you ever smoked Salvia? Or been around anyone who has? Judging the drug by a youtube video is ignorant.
Candace R.
posted 3/03/09 @ 5:23 PM CST
Kudos to legislators in Nebraska for being proactive and banning salvia outright. This is a dangerous drug that has caused several known deaths in the US and many other injuries. (Continued…)
Tool
posted 3/06/09 @ 12:57 PM CST
Candace R.
posted 3/03/09 @ 5:23 PM CST
Kudos to legislators in Nebraska for being proactive and banning beer outright. This is a dangerous drug that has caused several known deaths in the US and many other injuries. (Continued…)
Tom
posted 3/15/09 @ 6:46 PM CST
Salvia's danger is about equivalent to that of LSD or mescaline: not very, and certainly less dangerous than alcohol, tobacco, or Tylenol.
When have there ever been reports of death or injury caused by Salvia?
UNO Student's mom
posted 3/23/09 @ 10:19 AM CST
Son, you need to be good and moral and smoke some pot.
Coffeesh0p
posted 4/20/09 @ 7:39 AM CST
Wow. Way to make more innocent people into criminals.
Find me one person on http://www.Salvia-Trip.net that should be put alongside murderers, thugs and rapists, just for smoking a plant. (Continued…)
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