Minn. lawmaker part of wave to ban hallucinogenic plant
Eds: APNewsNow. Clarifies there are several varieties of the common garden plant.
ST. PAUL (AP) — A Minnesota lawmaker wants to ban an inexpensive and easily obtainable hallucinogenic plant that some fear could be the next marijuana.
State Representative Joe Atkins has introduced a bill that would ban Salvia (SAL’-vee-uh) divinorum in the state, although the bill may be modified during the session.
Atkins joins lawmakers in Florida and more than a dozen other states in moving against the spread of the hallucinogen that’s native to Mexico.
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The plant can be smoked, chewed, or made into a tea. Its effects last for a shorter time than other hallucinogens like LSD or PCP.
The drug sells for about $8 per pound, and can be purchased over the Internet or from local producers. Salvia divinorum is not one of the several varieties of common ornamental garden plants known as Salvia.
No deaths have been attributed to its use, but it was listed as a factor in a Delaware teen’s suicide two years ago.
Eight states have already placed restrictions on the plant.
