SAGE ADVICE - STAY CLEAR OF SALLY D.

Concern Rising About Hallucinogenic Properties Of Common Herb Salvia

A common garden herb that packs a powerful psychedelic punch has some
federal health officials recommending strict controls.

But Health Canada says it can't regulate the use of salvia divinorum
until there's more evidence of its dangers.

Department documents obtained by The Canadian Press under Access to
Information law say salvia is being used by adolescents and young
adults for its hallucinogenic properties.

A December 2005 report by the marketed health products directorate, an
arm of Health Canada, recommends that salvia be placed under the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Department spokesman Jason Bouzanis said salvia has been known to
cause hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, unconsciousness and
short-term memory loss. But that's not enough to declare it illegal,
he said, unless there's "sufficient scientific and empirical data that
concludes it has the potential for misuse and abuse," Bouzanis said.

Salvia, also known as Sally D, the diviner's sage, is legal to
possess, distribute and consume in every country except Australia. It
is a species of sage, which belongs to the mint family, and is most
commonly found in Mexico, where indigenous Mazatec shamans have used
it for centuries for spiritual journeys.

Salvia leaves are most commonly dried and smoked. Extracts of
salvinorin-A, salvia's active ingredient, are available in tablet
form. Pill prices can range anywhere from $30 to $80 in Canada
depending on the potency desired. Most online sellers of salvia
advertise the herb as a natural health product.

An October 2006 report by the natural health products directorate of
Health Canada, which is responsible for assessing safety among all
marketed health products, highlights four cases of adverse reactions
to salvia.

One case involves a 16-year-old Canadian boy who reportedly became
incoherent, suicidal and threatened to kill police officers after
taking a single tablet in March 2005.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration lists salvia as a "drug of
concern" but it has not been banned in the U.S.

Dr. Bryan Roth, a professor at the University of North Carolina, is
very concerned about the herb. "Salvia is the world's most potent
naturally occurring hallucinogen," he said. "You wouldn't want to be
driving a car, or you wouldn't want to be on a balcony in a high
building so the concern is that if individuals were to take a
sufficient dose, they might get themselves or others into trouble."