SMOKING SALVIA IS A SENSELESSS ADVENTURE

Salvia divinorum, a plant traditionally smoked for generations by
Shamans and which a growing number of young people are smoking, was
in the news this past week. Wheeler High School Principal Michael
Susi and Assistant Principal Chris Sandford called what might be
considered an emergency meeting of middle school and high school parents.

They told the parents that increasing numbers of Wheeler students
appear to be using the plant. They said their biggest concerns were
that people often don't remember what happens during a Salvia high.
(Salvia users refer to them as trips, perhaps for their short
duration). Susi and Sandford said since students are reportedly using
it in groups, it could lead to injury or to some students taking
advantage of others.

Salvia first came to my attention a couple of months ago when a
member of law enforcement told me it was being used by local college
students. The officer told me that kids smoke the stuff and don't
remember what they did - or what was done to them - while they were
under its influence.

I visited a Web site called Salviatrips.com, which shows a few
YouTube clips of people smoking the plant and the aftermath.

In one, a fellow contended he was going to demonstrate how to plant
some flowers while tripping on Salvia. He smoked. He waved the trowel
in the air. He curled up on the sidewalk and nodded for three minutes
and woke up laughing.

Another young man, in the back seat of a car, went into uncontrolled
laughing spasms. His drooling was similarly uncontrolled. The person
watching, and apparently recording his episode, repeatedly cheered,
"I've got to try this ... ."

I watched several. The overall theme appeared to be the users'
inability to control themselves, whether it was their laughter, their
motion or their drooling. One guy wandered around in the living area
of a small apartment. His "buddy" who introduced the video, packed
the bong and even lit it for him, watched the young man's journey to
nowhere, several times saving him from falling.

The smoker also becomes entertainment for those around him, much like
a staggering drunk on a city street. The fun seems to be watching the tripper.

But the recorders would not abuse a friend, or allow a friend to hurt
themselves while recording.

Without the recording, who knows what someone would do to another
while they have them in such a state. Who knows what someone would do
to themselves if they decided to trip alone? I was waiting for the
guy in the car to decide to get out to get some air. I don't know if
the car was moving. But neither did he.

And sometimes the users became belligerent, throwing whatever was in
their hands, shoving whatever was in their path.

I read several testimonials from people who said, weeks after their
out-of-control episodes, they experienced several vivid and
meaningful dreams. A man said while he was intoxicated by the plant,
his old television appeared as clear as high definition.

Salvia comes in different potencies, from 5x to 60x. It can be
purchased legally by anyone older than 18.

The plant has been used for generations in spiritual contexts. It is
possible that those who have experience know how to use it to gain
the effect they desire. However, it seems that playing with it could
be a dangerous thing. Trusting someone else to regulate one's episode
is equally risky, especially among a group of less-than-sober or
less-than-honest people.

Beyond spiritual use, about which I am not prepared to opine, I can't
see any redeeming value in the widespread use of the plant.

Legislators would do well to learn more about Salvia. In any case,
its use, possession or consumption by anyone younger than 21 years
old should be strictly prohibited.