LAWMAKERS SEEK TO MAKE HALLUCINOGENIC HERB ILLEGAL

YouTube videos show young people laughing uncontrollably, slurring their
words or hallucinating -- all after smoking an herb that's completely
legal in Maryland.

But if state Sen. Richard Colburn has his way, Salvia divinorum -- also
known as Sally D or Magic Mint, a herb widely available in smoke shops and
on the Internet -- will be in the same category as heroin and LSD.

"It's pretty disturbing," Colburn, an Eastern Shore Republican, said of
the hundreds of videos showing the affects of the herb.

"Just imagine if that was your child."

Colburn wants Maryland to join 13 other states that have laws or
regulations against salvia. His measure would make it a Schedule 1
controlled dangerous substance, which are considered to have a high
tendency for abuse and no medical purpose. Violators could face up to 20
years in prison.

Republican Dels. Jeannie Haddaway and Addie Eckardt introduced a similar
measure in the House.

Opponents say outlawing salvia would prevent medical studies on possible
benefits of the drug and create an underground market targeting youth.

The effects of salvia divinorum, a Mexican herb from the mint family that
is smoked or chewed, last about a half-hour.

The drug was blamed for the suicide of Delaware teen Brett Chidester.
Delaware became the first state to outlaw salvia nearly three years ago
under what was dubbed "Brett's Law," and his mother, Kathleen Chidester,
has advocated for similar laws across the country.

"My hope and goal is to have salvia regulated across the U.S.," she said
in written testimony in support of Colburn's bill.

"It's my son's legacy and I will not end my fight until this happens."

Ocean City police Capt. Robert Bokinsky said the herb is sold in shops
along the boardwalk and he has arrested people for disorderly conduct who
later disclosed they were on salvia.

"Without exception, every user has said, quote, 'That stuff should not be
legal,' " he told lawmakers at a hearing Tuesday.

But some researchers, including Johns Hopkins scientists Matthew Johnson
and Roland Griffiths, have opposed a ban, saying it would hamper research
into its potential benefits such as treating Alzheimer's or pain
management.

"They are afraid if we ban it they won't be able to" continue studying it,
said Sen. Jamie Raskin, D-Montgomery County, who questioned whether the
bill should be amended to allow for research.

Naomi Long of the Drug Policy Alliance, which advocates for drug policy
reform, likened salvia to marijuana, which teens have reported is easier
to get than alcohol and cigarettes. Instead of making saliva a Schedule 1
drug, there should be education campaigns, age restrictions and
regulations on who can sell it, she said.

"Our young people are able to access marijuana," she said, "exactly
because it's out the realm of regulation."