Neb. Senators Want Ban On Psychoactive Herb- Salvia

Neb. Senators Want Ban On Psychoactive HerbOpponents Argue Salvia Divinorum Has Therapeutic Benefits

 January 9, 2009

OMAHA, Neb. -- The Nebraska Legislature may once again consider whether to outlaw the hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum.Critics have argued that the herb, which is of the sage genus, should be outlawed like other psychoactive substances.

Supporters of the herb point to research that suggests it has therapeutic benefits in treating Alzheimer's disease, chronic pain and drug addiction.Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber introduced a bill (LB123) on Friday to ban the plant in Nebraska.Recently, a Lincoln store owner stopped selling salvia. State officials had cited him for selling the plant at his Lincoln store, Exotica.

It's not illegal to possess the plant in Nebraska, but officials said Christian Firoz violated a statute that prohibits the sale of substances that will be used to induce intoxication. He was set to go to trial later this month.The plant can cause hallucinations within minutes after it's smoked, licked or chewed.A different bill from a different senator didn't reach a final vote last year.