Radio DJ Blasted for Smoking Salvia on Air

A Wired 96.3 FM DJ is on a crusade to make the sale of Salvia divinorum illegal in Canada. To prove his point, last Thursday Ryder smoked 20X salvia on air, and broadcast while high. The incident was videotaped, and can be seen in full online. While some listeners supported the experiment, which Ryder says was intended to raise awareness to the potential dangers of salvia use, others were highly critical of the DJ's decision to broadcast while altered, and some feel it was a publicity stunt. Complaints have been filed with the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, and they are currently looking into the matter.

What is Salvia divinorum?

The substance Ryder smoked during his show is Salvia divinorum, also known as diviner's sage, seer's sage or magic mint. It is a distinct species of sage, the largest genus of plants in the mint family. The psychoactive plant originates in the Sierra Madre mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico, where Mazatec shamans have a well established tradition of using salvia for both spiritual and medicinal purposes.

Salvia officinalis, the common sage you cook with, belongs to the same genus as diviner's sage. While it is not generally considered to be psychoactive, common sage has a history of medicinal use, and when used this way there are a number of precautions that must be observed. Another plant in the genus, Salvia sclarea, is used both medicinally and ritually.

Salvia divinorum as a hallucinogen

While S. divinorum is often grouped with other psychoactive drugs that produce visions or hallucinations, its effects are often described as being unique. Writers who compiled a salvia FAQ at the Vaults of Erowid say the herb is "not considered a 'party drug', as its effects are not particularly conducive to social interaction, tend towards the non-verbal, and can often be extremely disconcerting and frightening. Those experienced with Salvia divinorum generally use it in quiet settings for introspective contemplation and meditation." In a discussion I had with an individual who has used salvia, he confirmed the herb is not what could be considered a recreational drug, and that the effects of salvia are more potent than magic mushrooms or LSD.

Salvia is sometimes said to be a drug of choice among young people, who find it easy to obtain. Salvia may be thought to be safer than other substances because it can be purchased legally in some jurisdictions, and it cannot be detected using standard drug tests. It is also eliminated quickly from the body, and is not associated with addiction or side effects such as hangover. The salvia FAQ claims there are no known reports of serious side effects or hospitalizations associated with use of Salvia divinorum. While the parents of Brett Chidester blamed the youth's suicide on salvia use, S. divinorum was not found in his body during his autopsy.

Legal status of Salvia divinorum

While some jurisdictions have outlawed the sale of salvia, its legal status in others is unclear. Salvia is not specifically illegal in Canada. Plants used medicinally do, however, require licensing as natural health products (NHPs.) At the present moment, no products containing salvia have been approved in the country, and Health Canada spokesperson Christine Legault recommends against using salvia because "little is known about the substance and its potential effects on the brain, and/or body and its impact on physical and mental functions." Law enforcement agencies feel they have no jurisdiction to intervene in the sale or use of salvia in Canada, unless the government decides it should be regulated under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Sources:

"The community Salvia divinorum FAQ." The Vaults of Erowid

"DJ sparks controversy for smoking drug." CBC News

"Hallucinogenic salvia no longer legal in Canada." Canadian Press, CBC News

"Psychedelic drugs just a click away online." About.com

"Sage leaf - Oral." Medicine.Net

Susun Weed, "Clary sage." Herbalpedia

"Wired 96.3's Ryder smokes salvia live on air." Wired 96.3 YouTube channel