POTENT HERB NOT REGULATED IN CANADA

Effects mimic those of illegal hallucinogenic drugs

The Tillsonburg News -- Jim Bender warns people before they purchase one
gram of Salvia divinorum from his head shop on Dundas Street in Woodstock.

"You best have a babysitter because you can't control yourself," Bender
said, discussing the perfectly legal, but extremely potent herb that has
been available at Lady Godiva's Adult Emporium for more than half a year.

Salvia divinorum - also known as salvia, salvia d. or diviner's sage - is a
variety of sage that is imported from Mexico. The effects mimic those of
illegal hallucinogenic drugs and have been compared to magic mushrooms and
acid. Salvia, which smells like tea, can be chewed or smoked and has been
widely available in the forms of dried leaves, extract and plant clippings.

"It's much more hardcore than marijuana," Bender said, noting it was "an odd
feeling" the first time he tried smoking salvia.

"About 30 seconds later, I felt like I was shrinking," he said.

Bender is selling salvia for $60 per gram, more costly than the roughly $10
per gram marijuana goes for on the street. But the price isn't deterring
people from buying the substance, he said. The store has attracted customers
from as far away as Asia and Europe.

Salvia isn't regulated in Canada, but local police are keeping a cautious
eye on the lawless sage.

Sgt. Daryl Longworth, a drugs investigator with the Oxford Community Police
Service, said there is nothing police can do if they encounter someone with
salvia on the street because it's not a prohibited substance.

"It has been used in an experimental stage in Woodstock," Longworth said.

"I am surprised it's not regulated."

Health Canada does not list salvia or salvinorum A, the active ingredient,
in its list of controlled substances, but an agency spokesman said health
officials are ready to take action if they find reason to regulate the
plant.

The substances are also not included in the United Nations' drug
conventions.

"Health Canada continues to monitor salvia divinorum," spokesman Chris
Williams said, noting the agency has been aware of the plant's presence in
Canada since 2002.

Williams said Health Canada does not have any knowledge of health risks
associated with salvia, nor does the agency have any proof that salvia
causes a dependency.

A regulatory amendment to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act usually
takes 12 to 18 months, but Williams said Health Canada can use "extreme
measures" to speed up that process.

There are a handful of countries, including Australia and Denmark, that
regulate salvia and salvinorum A. United States federal law does not control
the substances, but some states are creating regulations.

Bender is surprised Health Canada has not moved to quickly limit salvia, a
substance even he thinks should have some restrictions.

He does not sell salvia to people under 18, but said that has not stopped
youths from bringing their parents to his shop to make the purchase. Bender
shares with customers his personal recommendations on using salvia, which
includes a warning not to drive a vehicle after consuming the substance.

Longworth said police have already introduced salvia in its drug-related
educational material presented to local principals and vice-principals.

"There are serious potential dangers," Longworth said, pointing out the
hallucinogenic properties could result in violent behaviour.

While Bender continues to sell salvia, another head shop owner in Woodstock
does not carry the substance. But Chris Harkness, operator of Inner Realm
and Savage Art Studios on Light Street, said he has considered selling
salvia.

"Personally, I don't like it," Harkness said. "It does play with your mind."

The whole craze for consuming wild plants isn't new, Harkness noted. There
are many plants growing even in Oxford County that, if consumed, will result
in similar highs, he said.