Unicameral approves ban on sale, possession of Salvia

The Nebraska Legislature voted 44-0 Friday to add the plant Salvia divinorum and its main psychotropic molecule Salvinorin A to the state's list of controlled substances.Legislative Bill 123 makes all parts of the Salvia divinorum plant, seeds, extracts and related compounds all classified as Schedule I controlled substances, the same classifications as psychedelic mushrooms and LSD.

The bill makes possession of Salvia a Class IV felony, which carries a maximum of 5 years in prison and $10,000 fine; and trafficking of Salvia a Class III felony, which carries a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and $25,000 fine.

Attorney General Jon Bruning, who led the campaign to ban Salvia in the state, said the herb was an extremely dangerous drug and public safety demanded it be banned.

"I'm pleased with the legislature's vote today to ban Salvia," Bruning said. "I think it is important that Salvia not be allowed to be used by members of the public."

Bruning attempted to get a bill through the Nebraska Legislature last session, but it died in committee. The bill was resurrected this year as LB 123 by Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber.

Salvia is a hallucinogen drug with intense but short-lived effects, appearing in less than one minute but lasting fewer than 30 minutes, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Effects include psychedelic changes in perception, feelings of detachment and a decreased ability to interact with one's surroundings.

The drug can be ingested by smoking, chewing fresh leaves or drinking extracted juices of the plant. It is widely available on the Internet.

Salvia has come under media scrutiny in recent years because of YouTube videos showing irresponsible behavior such as driving under the drug's influence.

Before gaining popularity among American youth, the drug was primarily used by shamans in Oaxaca, Mexico.

While the drug remains legal under federal laws, a growing number of states have passed laws to ban or restrict the sale of Salvia.

In California, for example, the sale of Salvia is prohibited to minors, whereas Kansas bans the plant outright, as the bill passed by the Nebraska Legislature does.