A legal trip in Utah -- for now
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By Shane Farver
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
sfarver@standard.net
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ong>Hill banned herb's use by military personnel; lawmakers may ban it statewide
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ong>Hill banned herb's use by military personnel; lawmakers may ban it statewide
HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- Military officials have joined the ranks of others concerned with an herb that, while currently legal in Utah, is said to produce strong hallucinations.
Salvia divinorum, an herb of the mint family, can cause strong hallucinations if ingested or smoked, medical officials say.
"This is possibly the most hallucinogenic substance found in nature," said Lt. Col. James Bennion of the base's 75th Medical Operations Squadron.
Base officials recently made the herb illegal for military members. Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., also has banned salvia.
Those on Hill Air Force Base who use or distribe the substance now face penalties that range from a reduction in rank to a bad conduct discharge to confinement.
Maj. Gen. Kevin Sullivan, commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center, decided to ban salvia after becoming aware of the potential dangers associated with it.
"In the best interests of good order and discipline, as well as the overall safety of Hill AFB, the commander took steps to ban salvia rather than wait for a situation," said Lt. Col. James Durant III, staff judge advocate for the 75th Air Base Wing.
Salvia has spiritual origins in Oaxaca, Mexico, said Kathleen Nielsen, director of Food and Nutrition Services for McKay-Dee Hospital. Mayans used it in religious ceremonies because of its strong hallucinogenic effects.
Salvia divinorum is classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency in the category Drugs and Chemicals of Concern. While it remains legal in Utah, several states have either made it illegal or placed controls on it.
Additionally, several other countries have opted to control its distribution.
"I would say that's (salvia) something I'd probably stay far away from," Nielsen said.
Christian, who only wanted to be known by his middle name, didn't stay far away.
He said he tried salvia once and explained his experience after smoking it.
"I just went outside to smoke a cigarette," he said. "A couple minutes later telephone poles started splitting in half."
The entire high lasted about five minutes, Christian said.
Little is known about the total effects of salvia, because it's regulated by the FDA as an herb rather than a drug, Nielsen said.
"We don't know how safe it is," she said. "We don't know if after a certain dose there are certain effects."
Lt. Allen Swanson, commander of the Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force, said his organization hasn't seen a widespread use of salvia in Davis County. The strike force is concerned, however, about salvia's hallucinogenic effects.
"It definitely needs to be looked into if it has those kind of effects," he said.
Salvia may not be legal in Utah much longer. House Bill 190, which would make it illegal to possess or distribute the herb, passed in the Utah House of Representatives on Thursday.
It is now on its way to the Senate.
"It's a drug," said Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton, who sponsored the bill. "It has psychotic effects, the same as peyote or LSD, and that's why we're banning it."
Christian, who said he doesn't plan to do salvia again, thinks it should remain legal.
"I don't think it's a danger," he said. "I don't think it's a danger at all."
Nor does Scott Wadman, owner of the Zen Hed Shop in Clearfield and Ogden, where salvia is sold.
Wadman, whose Clearfield location was sold out of the herb Tuesday, says he usually sells about a bag per day. The cost for one-half a gram of 25 times concentrated salvia is $35.
"They say to use it in a dark, quiet area and have somebody that's not using it kind of baby-sit you," he said.
He said he requires anybody buying salvia to be 19 or older.
Making salvia illegal won't make it go away, he said.
"People are still going to be able to get it," he said "It's just not going to be in a store front."
Bennion, however, said those in the military are in danger from salvia. The nature of their jobs demands that they are alert at all times, he said.
"People taking this drug can be physically active while experiencing hallucinations," he said.
"Their ability to make good judgments and supply survival instincts may be impaired."
The 'herb' Salvia divinorum, also known as Diviner's Sage, Magic Mint, Sally D or Salvia
Traditional methods of use include:
* Smoking -- dry leaves can be smoked in a traditional pipe or more popularly in a water pipe. Greatest effect is within the first five minutes, tapering off to a norm in about 20 minutes.
* Tincture -- mixed with a grain alcohol and water solution, the effects are longer-lasting than when smoked, sometimes continuing for 11/2 to 21/2 hours.
* Oral -- Salvia can be swallowed, but the effect is minimal, or chewed, with the effects lasting longer. Effects occur within the first 15 minutes with a tapering off in about 50 minutes.
* Users of salvia say it is not a "party drug." Many describe it as a spiritual drug and use it for meditation.
Wikipedia.com
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