Natural hallucinogenic sage may be banned

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JUNEAU, Alaska (UPI) -- Alaska is one of 12 U.S. states considering making salvia, a potent natural hallucinogen which is a species of sage, illegal.

The hallucinogenic salvia divinorum is not banned by the federal Controlled Substances Act and is only illegal in six states, The Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News reported Saturday.

Republican state Sen. Gene Therriault, who said the substance's effects are dangerously powerful and similar to LSD, has been the heading the charge to ban it in Alaska

A user said the drug made her and her boyfriend "melt to the wall," the newspaper said.

"The jury's still out because there's not been a lot of study. But whenever there's uncertainty with a substance of this potency, there's a need to prevent injuries," said Therriault's legislative aide, Dave Stancliff.

UPI

Melting into walls must be hazardous.

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1. Tried it once way back.

Gave a slight alteration of perception but not anywhere near acid-or a lot of other hallucinogens. These people either OD or never been high before. "Melt to the wall" could just mean too buzzed to do anything except sit there-something I've done more than once. Hell, I've been stuck to the ceiling on occasion, or at least it felt that way.

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2. This is bad news.

Salvia divinorum is one of the last legal psychedelics. But it is 100% safe, period, end of discussion. Long histories of shamanic and cultural use, no adverse effects. No toxicology of any significance, even at the highest doses that people have taken. And you come down.. it doesn't cause any brain damage.

There is this concept that if a drug induces 'hallucination' then it's dangerous. That is horseshit, and human history attests to this. The legislative aide talks about the need to prevent injuries.. responsible drug users don't hurt people or themselves, and irresponsible drug users will only take salvia one time because it won't be for them. It is _not_ a party drug. People need to be of a certain intention to use it more than once.

Furthermore it is a powerful tool for navigating one's internal reality. Why would they take this from us? It's unbelievable.