[deh]

Also, should other herbs which are known to produce hallucinogenic effects like Nutmeg, Morning Glory, Jimson Weed be made illegal as well?

If your kids are buying herbs over the internet or in other stores you might think they're just trying to lead healthy lives. If you were told their herb of choice is salvia divinorum, you probably wouldn't even know what that is. If you were told it's a trendy legal hallucinogenic drug that produces side effects similar to LSD after your kids smoke it, you'd probably wonder why the drug is legal. You wouldn't be the only one.

Assemblywoman Linda Stender says, "Word about the hallucinogenic effects of the plant is spreading rapidly among young people at college campuses and through e-mail exchanges. It is something we should get on top of before kids start showing up at treatment centers, emergency rooms, and doctors' offices." Stender is drafting legislation to ban the drug which is known to gardeners as 'diviner's sage.' If enacted into law, Stender's legislation would make New Jersey the third state in the country to ban the powerful herb. Louisiana and Missouri already outlaw the drug and it is illegal in Australia, Italy and Denmark.

The drug is sold in leaf and liquid form at "head shops" and Web sites across the United States. The salvia leaf is smoked or chewed to produce hallucinations similar to the side effects of LSD, including: out-of body experiences, fits of wild laughter, nausea, along with symptoms of depression. Stender says, "Since the effects of salvia divinorum are synonymous with LSD, it would be logical to treat possession and use of the drug in the same manner as LSD…..there is a need to protect the public at large. People shouldn't be driving cars or operating machinery when using this stuff."

Stender says she learned of the issue in the wake of the death of a 17-year-old Delaware boy, Brett Chidester, who committed suicide in January, several months after starting to smoke the herbal drug. Chidester's parents attribute the boy's death to salvia tips and Delaware State Senator Karen Peterson has introduced legislation to ban the substance in her state. While there are only anecdotal connections between the Delaware youth's death and salvia use, Stender says the suicide raises warning flags that must be heeded.

[valley]

I voted yes Deh.

[Gabriel]

Absolutely

[columbo]

I voted no.

[deh]

Hi val,
What about nutmeg and morning glory seeds? Should these be outlawed as well?

[Guyzer]

Ban them...you bet.. along with all the cold remedies sitting on the store shelves that contain codeine. What else can you ban? Antihistamines because they make you drowsy. Anything else. Booze.. oops.. I didn't mean to mention that, sorry.

I feel sorry for you guys south of the 49th. Soon you won't be able to make any decisions on your own.

I voted no.

[Gabriel]

Originally Posted by Wimpy369

Ban them...you bet.. along with all the cold remedies sitting on the store shelves that contain codeine. What else can you ban? Antihistamines because they make you drowsy. Anything else. Booze.. oops.. I didn't mean to mention that, sorry.

I feel sorry for you guys south of the 49th. Soon you won't be able to make any decisions on your own.

I voted no.

This stuff is imported in with the sole intention of making money from people that use it to get high.

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

This stuff is imported in with the sole intention of making money from people that use it to get high.

I based my comments on the first sentence of the story. It is as follows.................

Also, should other herbs which are known to produce hallucinogenic effects like Nutmeg, Morning Glory, Jimson Weed be made illegal as well?

Outlaw booze and I'll change my answer accordingly. If not, lets not pick and choose.
The people rest your honor.

[Gabriel]

Salvia Divinorum, criminalize it federally?
That is what I am responding to...the poll question specifically

[deh]

Hi,
I hope i didn't mislead anyone. The first sentence was mine and not part of the story. I was under the impression that Salvia Divorum grew in the States. I think it is, correct me if i'm wrong though.
So if it is, then what of the other herbs that grow in the States that alter the mind?

[deh]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

Salvia Divinorum, criminalize it federally?
That is what I am responding to...the poll question specifically

Hi Gabriel,
And what about Nutmeg? Jimson weed? Jimson weed is everywhere.
Should garden centers be allowed to sell morning glory seeds?

[Gabriel]

The Mazateca Indians in Mexico (Shamans) use it in divination....
Here is an instruction from a site that condones, and sells it.............

This stuff is being highly pushed by head shops all over the country

[Quote from an extensive site}

Q. When do you need a sitter?
A. Having a sitter present is absolutely essential whenever you are taking a dose that might be high enough to cause you to lose awareness of your physical environment, freak out, or become delusional. Losing awareness of your physical environment can be dangerous because you are not aware of how your body might be interacting with its surroundings. This could result in physical injury to yourself or others (falls, fires, etc.). Do not take salvia without a sitter unless you are certain that you can safely handle the dose. You should have a sitter if you are at all uncertain. A sitter is needed whenever a user is new to Salvia, is uncertain of the potency of the Salvia that they will be using, is experimenting with a more powerful preparation than he/she has used before, or is using a more powerful delivery system than previously. It is generally advisable to have a sitter present when using highly concentrated salvia extracts and when using the vaporization method of smoking. Exercise caution and use good judgment. Many people choose to have a sitter present even when they are using low doses that can be handled safely without one. [quote]

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by deh

Hi Gabriel,
And what about Nutmeg? Jimson weed? Jimson weed is everywhere.
Should garden centers be allowed to sell morning glory seeds?

Eggnog won't be the same without Nutmeg and the Morning Glory flower is pretty but that's ok, we'll survive. Yes dig up all the Jimson Weed, it will create a bunch of new jobs and benifit the communities in many ways. While you're at it rid the planet of hops, rye, grapes and any other product that one can turn into alcohol.

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

The Mazateca Indians in Mexico (Shamans) use it in divination....
Here is an instruction from a site that condones, and sells it.............

This stuff is being highly pushed by head shops all over the country

[Quote from an extensive site}

Q. When do you need a sitter?
A. Having a sitter present is absolutely essential whenever you are taking a dose that might be high enough to cause you to lose awareness of your physical environment, freak out, or become delusional. Losing awareness of your physical environment can be dangerous because you are not aware of how your body might be interacting with its surroundings. This could result in physical injury to yourself or others (falls, fires, etc.). Do not take salvia without a sitter unless you are certain that you can safely handle the dose. You should have a sitter if you are at all uncertain. A sitter is needed whenever a user is new to Salvia, is uncertain of the potency of the Salvia that they will be using, is experimenting with a more powerful preparation than he/she has used before, or is using a more powerful delivery system than previously. It is generally advisable to have a sitter present when using highly concentrated salvia extracts and when using the vaporization method of smoking. Exercise caution and use good judgment. Many people choose to have a sitter present even when they are using low doses that can be handled safely without one.

Akin to a designated driver when it comes to booze. Sounds like the product should be legalized so your govt. can tax it.

[deh]

Originally Posted by Wimpy369

While you're at it rid the planet of hops, rye, grapes and any other product that one can turn into alcohol.

You won't get any arguments from me on the destruction alcohol causes.