Plant joins list of banned substances in Ill. next year

[almaty 19]

CHICAGO — A law taking effect in Illinois on New Year's Day makes possession or sale of a plant called Salvia divinorum a felony.

The plant can cause hallucinations within seconds after it's smoked, licked or chewed. Violators will face legal consequences as harsh as those for heroin or LSD.

Some retailers say the change in the law has caused a spike in sales of the herb.

"People are stocking up because of the ban," said Sebastian Pogorzelski, co-owner of The Highway, a Chicago tobacco store. "They're saying, 'Wow, that's crazy, I'm going to come in and buy some more.'" Advertisement

State Rep. Dennis Reboletti, R-Elmhurst, said legislation was needed because federal drug laws don't address the substance. Only a handful of states have adopted laws regulating it.

"We decided to move forward rather than waiting for someone to be killed because of it," Reboletti said.

But advocates say the plant should be available for religious or scientific use. It has been used in religious ceremonies by Mazatec Indians in the Oaxaca region of Mexico.

In Carbondale, Crystal Basler, owner of The Country Goddess, a religious-supplies store, said she has sold salvia in both leaf and extract form for about a year. Until recently, most purchasers were middle-aged adults rather than teenagers.

"Some people describe (the effect) as they get very relaxed, kind of like taking an anti-stress pill," Basler said. "The leaf is very, very mild. There's no reason to ever make the leaf illegal. A lot of women buy it for PMS depression."

The herb's long-term effects are still unknown, said Dr. Neil Farber, an associate professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin who has researched the herb.

But it can be as potent as LSD, causing visions and improved moods in some people, Farber said. It also can cause loss of balance and coordination, and alter perception

sidebar..i have been to the store in Carbondale.................country goddess..........a trip back to the 60s ...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Who authored the bill to ban this plant?

[Otto 83]

Harmless looking plant...

[almaty 19]

Who authored the bill to ban this plant?

State Rep. Dennis Reboletti, R-Elmhurst/....i expect this in Kansas.or Missouri....

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I pray that someone (or a group) will decide to pay a "do-good" visit to Reboletti with a semi-load of Silva, remove his entire lawn and replace it with dense-pack Silva.

[Amby 490]

when are they going to make fermented poo illegal too?

[almaty 19]

you drank that sh!t?

Edited December 28, 2007 by almaty

[Amby 490]

lol I read an article about the poo huffing and the guy that supposedly started the "craze" said that he was taking down the website because he didn't want to be known as the guy who taught the world to huff sh*t

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I pray that someone (or a group) will decide to pay a "do-good" visit to Reboletti with a semi-load of Silva, remove his entire lawn and replace it with dense-pack Silva.

LOL...that would be funny.

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

Who authored the bill to ban this plant?

State Rep. Dennis Reboletti, R-Elmhurst/....i expect this in Kansas.or Missouri....

missouri is too busy fermenting pizz and chit

[Saddle Bronc 124]

when are they going to make fermented poo illegal too?

Can't do that--as the pols actually GENERATE a lot of it.

[mawilson 2,133]

How can a plant be illegal? It's a plant, for crying out loud. God created it for humans to smoke, lick and chew.

[almaty 19]

i like your views on this brother MA

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I've smoked Salvia before. No big deal and a very very short high. So comparing it to LSD (which should be legal too) is like comparing coffee to crack.

[almaty 19]

I've smoked Salvia before. No big deal and a very very short high. So comparing it to LSD (which should be legal too) is like comparing coffee to crack.

i thought so..i worked in the field of addiction and mental health for a long time..and this is a typical politician feel good response to a non-issue..that through media publicity./.will increase the use of the plant...