WHY BAN SALVIA?

In response to 'Magic Mint' (The Cullman Times, June 23, 2008) I
disagree that salvia needs to be banned and made a felony offense. If,
as the headline implies, legislators know little about it then it
doesn't even rise to the level of acknowledgement. Ms. Soule's attempt
to make it illegal and apply the same penalties currently imposed on
non-violent marijuana consumers is absolutely absurd. What -- we don't
have enough people in Alabama jails and prisons for use of natural
plants?

This seems like a coordinated campaign nationally. My guess it is
coming from the DEA. It is outrageous, since salvia is a non-problem --
but maybe if they prohibit it they can change that, seeing as how
prohibition of other plants and their derivatives has worked so well
in the past and all.

Once Ms. Soule, in collusion with our legislative clowns, make it
illegal, we will see a huge jump in its use by kids. We'll see prison
imposed for possession of a geranium plant, teens and college kids
saddled with felony criminal records (according to Sen. Bedford they
are the main consumers), lives ruined, forced treatment, drug court
and all kinds of crazy stuff that we don't see now when it is legal
and not widely known all because of the raging, moralistic crusade to
outlaw anything that might give someone else pleasure. What will they
outlaw next, spinning around in circles until you get dizzy? That also
alters ones state of consciousness.

Drug prohibition doesn't work, has never worked and will never work.
If it did then our prisons would not be stuffed full of non-violent
drug offenders and our high schools and college campuses wouldn't be
the easiest places to get drugs. This madness has to stop. If the
legislature insists on going after problem plants then might I suggest
kudzu, privet and poison ivy? That would be a real no brainer.

Loretta Nail

Drug policy reform advocate and was the 2006 Libertarian candidate for
Governor of Alabama.