Salvia

Last week the New York Times ran an article about salvia, the hallucinogenic herb. Some youyous like this dude have posted videos of their trippie experiences to YouTube.

Is it harmful? According to the NYTimes article:

Though research is young and little is known about long-term effects, there are no studies suggesting that salvia is addictive or its users prone to overdose or abuse. Indeed, a salvia experience can be so intense, and at times so unsettling, that many try it just once, and even devotees use it sparingly.

Reports of salvia-related emergency room admissions are virtually nonexistent, likely because its effects typically vanish in just a few minutes.

But politicians are still lining up to ban it:

In state after state, however, including here in Texas, the YouTube videos have become Exhibit A in legislative efforts to regulate salvia. This year, Florida made possession or sale a felony punishable by 15 years in prison. California took a gentler approach by making it a misdemeanor to sell or distribute to minors.

“When you see it, well, it sure makes a believer out of you,” said Representative Charles Anderson of Waco, a Republican state lawmaker who is sponsoring one of several bills to ban salvia in Texas.

…

At a legislative hearing near Dallas in August, Mr. Anderson argued that by not banning salvia, governments were communicating that it is benign. He noted that Internet purveyors advise that salvia should be used only with a “sober sitter,” and said its legal status might encourage experimentation among some who would never consider a back-alley drug deal.

That last bit is the worst type of political nonsense. He thinks that if the government doesn’t ban something, it is implicitly endorsing it! No room left for human judgment. No room left for people to make up their own mind.

That’s some scary thinking.

Want to try salvia? Buy some online here.