Salvia Divinorum: The Legal Issue

Lately we have been hearing a lot about Salvia divinorum. The once unheard of herb is starting to gain the attention of politicians and concerned parents around the country. Just as with every psychoactive drug, we are hearing a lot of rumors and stories about the effects of the plant. Does this potent herb deserve to be made illegal? Unfortunately that is for the politicians to decide.

There is only one death semi-credited to salvia. This single death is cause for the motion in a few states to make possession of the plant illegal. 17 year old Brett Chidester committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning and his mother claims that salvia is to blame. There are so many problems with this logic it is hard to know where to begin. There is no proof that the salvia was to blame. For all we know (and all signs seem to point to it), Brett suffered from depression which had nothing to do with his salvia usage. It seems his mother just wants something else to blame. She refuses to believe that there may have been something wrong with her perfect son. Instead, he was a "victim" of this horrible drug.

Anyone who has smoked salvia and "broken through" will know how powerful the experience is. You completely lose all sense of reality and surroundings. Performing even the most simple of tasks become nearly impossible. Although some are able to move they usually do not get too far. This is what makes the legality issue complicated. Although the effects are much more intense than say, alcohol or marijuana, someone under the influence of salvia really cannot be a danger to others. There is no way someone sitting in there home could manage to get up, get to their car (even figure out how to get to their car), and drive. Our country is supposed to allow us freedom as long as that freedom does not impose on other peoples' rights. Salvia does not seem to interfere with other peoples' right to safety.

Not only is salvia not a danger to others, it really is not a danger to the user. There are no longer term effects. There are no documented health risks. It is not addictive. It can, however, cause terrifying experiences if one does not know what they are getting into. Even if you think you know what to expect, there is no telling how intense it will be. I once thought that the room i was in was in someones pocket and I was about to be eaten with some spaghetti. However after a few short minutes it was over and I was fine and was not discouraged from trying it again. Although that may sound hard to believe, it gives you an idea of how salvia can affect you.

If salvia does end up becoming illegal, it will be another example of the government sticking its nose where it does not need to be and limiting our freedoms. There really is not a single reason why salvia should not be legal. It is not suitable for children and I do think it should be limited to those of ages 18 and older but sensible adults have every right to possess Salvia divinorum.