LEGAL DRUGS THAT MIMIC MARIJUANA, PROVIDE PSYCHEDELIC EXPERIENCES
WORRY POLICE, LEADERS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

SANTA CRUZ -- A new synthetic marijuana and the resurgence in
popularity of a hallucinogenic drug have police and community leaders
worried because both substances are legal and for sale in the Santa
Cruz area.

"I don't know enough about this stuff," Watsonville Police Chief Manny
Solano said. "That's what concerns me."

"Spice" is a relatively new herbal and chemical product that produces
similar effects as marijuana. It does not show up on drug tests and is
not regulated. Area smoking shops started carrying the substance about
six months ago and Spice started gaining in popularity this summer.

Salvia divinorum, a hallucinogen with roots in shaman healing
practices, has been available in the United States for years. The
drug, which can cause psychedelic experiences, has become trendy
again, according to police and merchants who sell the unregulated substance.

Police were not shy about talking about the drugs, even though they're
available to anyone 18 or older.

"It's going on out there. We, I think, need to make ourselves aware of
it," said Solano, who understands talking about it may "give someone
else an idea." He just hopes people will use "the right
decision-making skills."

Concerns about the drugs first cropped up in Santa Cruz this summer
when officers repeatedly came across people under the influence of
something -- but cops weren't sure what -- and unable to care for
themselves, Santa Cruz police Sgt. Mike Medina said.

"We were getting these medical calls. Initially guys were thinking
they were heroin overdoses," Medina said, explaining that officers
later found the salvia packaging and made the connection.

Medina researched the drug, learned it wasn't illegal and trained
other officers about it.

Police worry about salvia and its effects because people lose control
when high.

"It's yet another intoxicating substance to make people vulnerable and
impair their judgment," Santa Cruz police Capt. Steve Clark said,
adding that he worries women could be victims of sexual assault while
using salvia.

Salvia also can cause people to become catatonic while their heads
loll back and they drool. People can stop breathing or choke while in
that state and risk death.

Caleb Miles, owner of Glass Roots, a downtown Santa Cruz smoke shop,
advised against smoking salvia. He said if people do, they should
avoid being in rooms with hardwood floors or near sharp furniture,
like coffee tables. The drug can make people feel off-balance and
videos online show salvia users falling down and smacking their heads.

Miles also said it's a "heady" high that wasn't enjoyable, but others
who like the drug said it can be a spiritual experience. For example,
some are inspired to make art while high on salvia.

Salvia use is more widespread in other parts of the country, such as
Utah, according to police.

While worry about salvia came from contacts with users, the concerns
about synthetic cannabis surfaced during a discussion about the new
tobacco retail license at a Watsonville City Council meeting last
week. Councilman Manuel Bersamin predicted it would be the next
epidemic and Solano questioned whether it's something lawmakers might
have to address.

"It's another thing that we've got to start learning more about,"
Solano said.

Called "Spice," the product is marketed as an incense but sold at
prices comparable to marijuana bought on the street.

Miles, the head shop owner and a medicinal marijuana patient, sells
several varieties of the substance. He said they are gaining in
popularity, especially among people who have to be drug tested for
work, such as those in the military.

"They're not banned substances so they're actually smoked openly. It's
a trend at a lot of community colleges," said Bersamin, a college
administrator. "It's what they're buying to get some of the effects of
cannabis in a legal manner."

Miles tested some Spice samples shipped to his store.

"It seemed to do something," he said.

Because both drugs are not banned, police do not look for them when
serving search warrants and are not allowed to seize them.

"As of now it's not under the federal regulations," said Cmdr. Rich
Westphal, head of the Anti-Crime Team. "Rumor has it that they're
looking into it to see if it's worthy of making it illegal."

Some states and counties -- though none in California -- are making
moves to regulate salvia, according to Medina.

"Until this gets put on some controlled substance list, we can't do
anything," Solano said.