SALVIA HERB ON DEA HIT LIST

U.S. Wants It Classified Illegal

An innocent looking herb that wouldn't warrant a second glance if spotted
in any Windsor garden packs such a psychedelic wallop the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration wants it classified as an illegal drug -- along
the lines of cocaine and heroin.

But in Canada, as well as most of the world, salvia divinorum is not a
controlled substance and can be easily ordered through head shops or on the
Internet -- and there's not much Canadian law enforcement agencies can do
about it.

The little-known herb, a type of sage grown in Mexico, began showing up
about four years ago in the southern United States.

Since then it has slowly been creeping northward, mostly through Internet
sales.

When the dried leaves are smoked, chewed or boiled in a potent tea, the
herb can produce intense hallucinations.

The effects depend on the amount consumed, but users describe complex
visionary states, vivid colours, out-of-body experiences and even merging
with inanimate objects. It's been described by some as a very pleasant
experience, though others report having terrifying trips. All sources
recommended at least one "sitter," or good friend who did not consume the
plant, to prevent people under the effect from harming themselves or others.

The dramatic effect of the drug is not well understood by health officials,
although salvia divinorum has been used in religious ceremonies by the
Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico, for centuries.

Few law enforcement officials are even aware of the existence of salvia
divinorum, also known as Diviner's sage, or Sally D on the street.

"Never heard of it," says Staff Sgt. Dan Woods, head of the Windsor police
drug unit. "It's been showing up in the southern U.S.? Let it stay down there."

An officer with the Detroit police narcotics squad who answered a call from
The Star also never heard of the hallucinogenic herb.

Det. Brett Mailloux, commander of the OPP's Essex County drug unit, said
some of his officers are aware of the drug, but had never come in contact
with it on the beat.

But the RCMP has been in contact with the DEA about the plant, says RCMP
Staff Sgt. Paul Marsh.

"We've received communications from American officials about salvia," Marsh
said. "We're aware of isolated cases of people using the substance in Canada."

Cpl. Michele Paradis, communications officer with the RCMP, said since it
is legal to purchase and possess the herb in Canada, "there's not much we
can really do about it."

The only countries that have made salvia divinorum illegal are Australia
and Finland.

A Canadian seller of salvia divinorum over the Internet said through e-mail
communications with The Star that he got involved with the plant a few
years ago.

"It's still not wellknown in Canada," said the seller, who calls his site
Salvia North and goes by the name Mark Belyea. "In my town, Owen Sound,
I've never met anyone who has ever heard of it other than people who heard
about it from me."

Belyea sells root plant cuttings for $15 apiece. Since the plant does not
seed well, most people purchase cuttings, he wrote.

But a local head shop owner says he refuses to deal with the plant because
he's heard too many bad stories about its effects.

"Salvia has been around for a while, but it's spooky," said the man, who
did not want to be identified. "I've heard from at least three people about
having really bad experiences. This is not a recreational drug and it's not
going to catch on like marijuana or ecstacy."