SALVIA'S QUICK HIGH WORRIES POLICE

It's a powerful hallucinogen and a common garden herb and it's
becoming a cheap way to get high on London streets.

It's Salvia divinorum, it's legal and it has London police worried.

But they can't do anything about it.

A woman, who didn't want to be named, said she first tried Salvia in
2005 and isn't eager to do it again.

"It was more powerful than any drug I've ever had," said the woman,
who has used marijuana, magic mushrooms, and ecstasy. "The whole trip
lasted about 10 seconds . . . It kinda freaked me out."

The herb has been sold in stores for more than 10 years, but it's
become more common with its recent appearance in variety stores.

The Free Press visited several convenience stores and hemp stores on
Richmond Street recently and found it easy to get the powerful plant
- -- traditionally used by shaman -- that produces a fast, intense high.

At several of the variety stores, enticing ads are posted in the
windows. Salvia Sold Here, says one sign. Another, featuring a
scantily clad woman, says simply, Salvia.

Variety store clerks said there are no age restrictions for selling
salvia. If customers look old enough, they can buy a pipe and 16
milligrams -- one hit --of Salvia without hassle for less than $20.

John, who works at Hi-Times, a hemp product store that sells pot
bongs, pipes and other growing equipment, said the store sells salvia
only to people who are at least 19.

John, who didn't want his last name used, said it's usually stored in
a drawer until it's requested by a customer and costs customers $40
for one gram.

Packages of salvia sold at Hi-Times and variety stories warn users to
be accompanied by "a sober sitter."

A pamphlet available at Hi-Times -- written by SalviaSupply, a North
American distributor of Salvia extractions -- heralds the herb a "safe
alternative" to prohibited drugs such as marijuana and opium.

But London police worry people's lives could be in danger and admit
their hands are tied because it's not illegal to sell or consume the
herb.

"It does cause great concern that if someone is hallucinating, their
safety or others (safety) might be in jeopardy. They could take the
drugs and get struck by a car," Const. Amy Phillipo said.

But in terms of making the drug illegal, Phillipo said, that's up to
the courts.

There are no plans to make Salvia illegal.

Health Canada said in April that because there's no evidence of its
dangers, its use can't be regulated, although a report by the marketed
health products directorate -- an arm of Health Canada -- recommended
in 2005 salvia be placed under the Controlled Drugs and Substances
Act.

One employee at a downtown hemp store, who didn't want to be named
because he feared losing his job, said he wants the drug off the
shelves. He's seen friends on it and doesn't like what it does.

"I hate to sell it, but what can I do?" he said. "When people come in
the store, I don't promote it."

SALVIA DIVINORUM

- - Also known as diviner's sage, magic min and sage of the seers, it is
a Mexican import that can be chewed or smoked.

- - Side-effects put the user in a zombie-like state. Other immediate
effects are uncontrollable laughter, visions, the feeling of being in
another place, motion sensation and revisiting memories.

- - Side-effects can last five to 30 minutes.