TRIPPY DRUG LEGAL IN CANADA

A hallucinogenic drug banned in Australia and listed by the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Agency as a drug or chemical of "concern" is freely
available for sale in Vancouver.

Renee Boje, owner of Urban Shaman on Hastings Street, sells salvia
divinorum, a species of sage which belongs to the mint family, in the
form of dried leaves, extract and plant cuttings. The plant is
commonly used by Mazatecs in Mexico for curing rituals and divination.
Boje says the leaves and extract are the most popular items sold at
her store.

"It's a fast-track way to get a spiritual experience," said Boje, who
uses salvia. "Smoking it is short-acting, it's quick and they can
think about the experience after."

While the drug is illegal in Australia and under restrictions in other
countries, Canadian law does not prohibit its sale.

Nathalie Lalonde, a media relations officer at Health Canada, says
salvia is not being monitored in Canada and is not listed as a
controlled substance under the Drug and Controlled Substances Act.
Monitoring includes studying information from WHO and the
International Narcotics Control Board and from police and drug
organizations.

"Should evidence arise that suggests an abuse problem with significant
risk to public health and safety, the department will investigate and
take whatever action is appropriate to mitigate the risks," Lalonde
said.

Marc Emery, president of the B.C. Marijuana Party, doesn't see salvia
getting banned in the future primarily because he believes its use is
not widespread.

"It shouldn't be banned because no one uses it much," said Emery. "It
doesn't have a negative impact."

Adding a drug to Health Canada's list of controlled substances would
call for a regulatory change, a process which could last several
months, said Lalonde.

"Where a substance presents grave harm to the public, extraordinary
measures may be taken to control a substance in a more timely manner
by eliminating the consultation phase," she said. "Health Canada
currently has no plans to add salvia divinorum to the list of
substances controlled under the CDSA."

Boje says it would be a shame if salvia is outlawed because she claims
it provides people with the ability to connect with their divine
selves. She remains hopeful it will remain legal because she believes
the Canadian government is more open to people having autonomy over
their minds and bodies.

Effects of smoking salvia can vary, according to Emery, who conducted
a test on 15 individuals by administering the extract to them. While
the women in the group were "giggly," the men seemed scared and
hyperventilated, with some dropping to the floor, he said.

Boje says if salvia is taken the "traditional way" in a quiet, dark
room the experience can be positive.

"I had visions of beings that were made of light and they were dancing
around me," she said. "I felt they were my spiritual family showing me
love."

However she cautions about not doing the drug alone but to have a
friend or "sitter" present. Boje says there are no known side effects
of the drug but describes it as hallucinogenic.

Salvia is available at other stores in Vancouver. The Seed Co. on
Hastings Street advertises its sale on a sandwich board on the street.
Staff at the store declined to comment.