HALLUCINOGEN CAN BE HAD BY ASKING

Salvia Divinorum Available In Winnipeg, Produces Short, Powerful Hallucination

In order to buy a mind-altering substance in Winnipeg, all you need
is identification.

The hallucinogen, Salvia divinorum, is currently being sold in some
stores and police are unable to stop it.

"We are very aware that it is here, but can't prevent the use as it
is not illegal. There are only a few stores in Winnipeg that sell the
product and they assure us that they only sell to people over 18
years of age," said Winnipeg police spokeswoman Marnie Minkus.

Also known as magic mint or diviner's sage, salvia is legal to
possess, distribute and consume in most places in the world and can
be bought over the Internet or in hemp stores. In Canada, salvia is
not regulated under Health Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances
Act, but it is banned in Australia. Several American states are
considering a ban.

Salvia has been used for hundreds of years by the Mazatec indigenous
people of Mexico for spiritual experiences and it is usually chewed
or smoked. It gives users a short but powerful hallucination, lasting
anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes.

There has been little research into the long-term effects of this
drug, but according to Health Canada, the short-term effects can
include unconsciousness and short-term memory loss. Health Canada is
not aware of people becoming dependent on the drug. Salvia has been
likened to mescaline, or peyote. When under the influence of such
drugs, a person will see, hear, and feel things that aren't really
there. It has also been described as a "Lego" dream with lots of
squares and blocks.

Heidi Graham, spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority,
is not aware of any incidents involving salvia at its facilities.

Stores like Kustom Kulture, despite an influx of requests for salvia,
refuse to carry it because of potential legal issues down the road.

A Portage Avenue store carries it, but a clerk said the owner was not
available and would not offer a comment about its sale.

RCMP Sgt. Steve Saunders said police have received a number of
inquiries about salvia, but from an educational perspective only. He
is not aware of salvia being sold in retail outlets anywhere in the
RCMP's rural Manitoba jurisdiction.

Despite salvia becoming more available, there appears to be no rush
to regulate it or make it illegal.

Zenon Lisakowski, prevention and education consultant for the
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, said occasionally a few kids will
come in seeking help, but there is "no upswing in usage."

Lisakowski said this isn't the biggest drug problem in the province.
"I would like to see more effort into more important drugs that hurt
and harm, like alcohol."