PETITION TO BAN 'MAGIC MINT'

PARRY SOUND -- Due to the hallucinogenic effects of the legal herb,
Salvia Divinorum, the town of Parry Sound is petitioning Health Canada
to review health risks associated with the substance.

On May 14, the city of Port Colborne passed a resolution calling for
action from the federal department or Health Canada. The city is also
seeking support of the resolution from other municipalities.

Salvia Divinorum, also known as Magic Mint, is available in Canada at
many corner stores, pharmacies and through the Internet.

The herb is known to cause a number of physical effects including the
perception of bright lights, vivid colours and shapes, uncontrolled
laughter, a sense of loss of body, overlapping realities and dizziness
and slurred speech. Council passed the resolution asking for a ban of
the drug.

"We have enough drugs in our area," said Mayor Richard Adams. "We
don't need another one."