title: Nova Southeastern University

text: The Nova Southeastern (NSU) athletic teams are called the Sharks. The university is a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) since the 2002–03 academic year. The Sharks previously competed in the Florida Sun Conference (FSC; now currently known as the Sun Conference since the 2008–09 school year) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1990–91 to 2001–02.


title: Nova Southeastern University

text: NSU competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field and volleyball. Former sports included women's rowing until after the 2019–20 school year.


title: Nova Southeastern University

text: Since joining the NCAA in 2002, the NSU Sharks have produced several NCAA All-Region selections and NCAA All-Americans, and have been nationally ranked in numerous sports. The NSU Sharks have won four straight championships in women's golf from 2009 to 2012. In 2016, for the first time in school history, the NSU baseball team won the Division II National Championship.


title: Nova Southeastern University

text: Many athletic events at NSU take place at University Center Arena. In 2005, students voted for a new school mascot, and the student body selected the Sharks. NSU's athletic teams had previously been known as the Knights.


title: Nova Southeastern University

text: NSU has produced over 170,000 alumni, who live in all 50 US states and over 116 countries worldwide. Alumni work in various fields, including academia, government, research, and professional sports. Prominent alumni include Major League Baseball player J.D. Martinez of the Boston Red Sox, Isabel Saint Malo, the former Vice President of Panama, Marilyn Mailman Segal, prominent child psychologist, Ivy Dumont, first female Governor-General of the Bahamas, Tyler Cymet, internist, Cathy Areu, author and journalist, Somy Ali, former Bollywood actress and activist, Geisha Williams, former CEO of PG&E, Kristine Lefebvre, lawyer and contestant on "The Apprentice", Scott W. Rothstein, lawyer, Syra Madad, epidemiologist and infectious disease control expert and, and Dr. Will Kirby, a dermatologist and television personality.


title: Nova Southeastern University

text: Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". One notable area of NSU's research looks at the impact of sharks on the health of the ocean.


title: Nova Southeastern University

text: NSU also has its research on other various fields such as biotechnology, life sciences, environment and social sciences. NSU faculty are funded by extramural grants of over $107 million for various projects to advance research works, academics. Their projects include basic, applied and clinical research projects on drug discoveries, mental health disorders oceanic studies.


title: Erland Van Lidth De Jeude

text: Erland Philip Peter Van Lidth De Jeude (June 3, 1953 – September 23, 1987) was a Dutch-American actor, opera singer, and amateur wrestler.


title: Erland Van Lidth De Jeude

text: Van Lidth De Jeude was born in Hilversum, the Netherlands, and came to the United States with his family in 1958, where they resided in Orange, New Jersey (until 1960), then Stamford, Connecticut (1960–1962), Ridgefield, Connecticut (1962–1970) where he attended Ridgefield High School, and moved to Mont Vernon, New Hampshire in 1970 where he attended Milford Area Senior High School, from which he was graduated in 1972. He appeared in theatrical productions, and played center and nose guard on the varsity football team. He attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he studied computer science and was graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science & Electrical Engineering in 1977). He also distinguished himself on the wrestling team, where he was the 1976 NCAA Division III runner-up the heavyweight division, and in stage productions, the most successful of which was "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", in which he played Miles Gloriosus.


title: Erland Van Lidth De Jeude

text: After graduation he worked in Manhattan as a computer professional, while also attending the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal as an alternate in the heavyweight wrestling team. His preparation for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow was cut short when the United States boycotted the event. He also won the Bronze Medal in the international competition held in Tehran in 1978.


title: Erland Van Lidth De Jeude

text: The 6'6" (198 cm), 340-pound (154 kg) wrestler was spotted in the New York Athletic Club by a casting director, which led to his role as the fearsome "Terror", leader of the Fordham Baldies, in the 1979 Philip Kaufman film "The Wanderers". He continued to juggle his careers in film and information technology while also singing frequently with the Amato Opera in New York, studying to become a Heldenbaritone, and teaching computer programming at Manhattan Community College. He is perhaps best known for his role as Grossberger in "Stir Crazy" with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, which was released in December 1980 and has been regularly shown on TV over the years. Erland was also featured in the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film "The Running Man", which was his last film appearance. He played Dynamo, a sadistic stalker who announces his presence by singing an aria from Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" and electrocutes his victims. He once turned down a film role because he did not want to shave his head as he did for "The Wanderers" and "Stir Crazy".


title: Erland Van Lidth De Jeude

text: Van Lidth De Jeude married Annette Friend on September 22, 1986, with whom he had one son, Christiaan. His brother Philip Van Lidth De Jeude, who was featured in the Dutch children's film "Abeltje" (released November 1998) as the Generalissimo, originally sang as a baritone and then as a dramatic tenor in both Europe and the United States, and sister Philine van Lidth de Jeude is a dramatic soprano and free-lance photographer.


title: Erland Van Lidth De Jeude

text: He was born into the Dutch noble family Van Lidth De Jeude and held the predicate of untitled nobility "Jonkheer" (comparable to the archaic usage of the British "Esquire" and cognate to the German "Junker").


title: Erland Van Lidth De Jeude

text: Van Lidth De Jeude died of heart failure on September 23, 1987 at age 34, a few months after finishing work on "The Running Man" and one day after his first wedding anniversary.


title: Biola University

text: Biola University () is a private, nondenominational, evangelical Christian university in La Mirada, California. It was founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. It has over 150 programs of study in nine schools offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university hosts the annual Missions Conference, the largest annual missions conference and the second largest missions conference in the world. It has also played a significant role in the development of intelligent design.


title: Biola University

text: Biola University was founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles by Lyman Stewart, President of the Union Oil Company of California (subsequently known as Unocal and later purchased by the Chevron Corporation); Thomas C. Horton, a Presbyterian minister and Christian author; and Augustus B. Prichard, also a Presbyterian minister.


title: Biola University

text: In 1912, the institute appointed R. A. Torrey as dean, and in 1913 began construction on a new building at the corner of Sixth and Hope St. (536 South Hope St.), in downtown Los Angeles, which included a 3,500-seat auditorium, two large neon signs (added later) on top of the building proclaiming "Jesus Saves", and a carillon of eleven bells on which hymns were played three times each day. These early leaders wanted the institute to focus on the training of students in the Bible and missions rather than the broad approach to Christian education typical of Christian liberal arts colleges. The institute offered a diploma after completion of a two-year curriculum. This model was based largely on the Moody Bible Institute. Beginning in the 1920s, attempts were made to broaden the curriculum, but it was not until 1949 that the institution took the name "Biola College" and in 1981 was renamed "Biola University". Biola re-located to La Mirada, California in 1959.


title: Biola University

text: In 1915 Torrey announced plans to organize an independent church that would meet in Biola's auditorium called the Church of the Open Door. This decision proved controversial with local Presbyterian and Baptist clergy.


title: Biola University

text: In 1917, the institute published a four-volume version of "The Fundamentals: A Testimony To The Truth", a series of essays affirming conservative Protestant beliefs, edited by Torrey and others, with funds donated by Lyman Stewart and his brother Milton.


title: Biola University

text: Lyman Stewart died on September 28, 1923, and ten months later, Reuben Torrey resigned as dean. The institute appointed Joseph Irvine as president, and on April 3, 1925, appointed John Murdoch MacInnis as the school's second dean. MacInnis was a Presbyterian minister who had been an instructor at the school for only about two years. MacInnis served as dean until his forced resignation on December 31, 1928. His administration had been turbulent and suffered from leadership conflicts and religious controversy. In 1927, Biola published a book by MacInnis entitled "Peter the Fisherman Philosopher". This book became the focus of an intense national controversy, in which MacInnis was accused by Fundamentalists of advocating liberal theological positions contrary to Biola's standards. Eventually MacInnis was forced to resign, and all remaining copies of the book along with the printing plates were destroyed.


title: Biola University

text: In 1929 Charles E. Fuller a businessman, evangelist and graduate of Biola, was drafted as vice president to find a new dean and a president. Elbert McCreery and William P. White, both associated with Moody Bible Institute, were chosen to fill these posts.


title: Biola University

text: During the Great Depression, the institute suffered serious financial difficulties. In 1932, Louis T. Talbot, pastor of the Church of the Open Door, assumed the presidency and helped raise much-needed funds. During the next two decades, Talbot led a shift away from missions, instead concentrating on academic programs. Talbot Theological Seminary became Biola's first graduate school, and in 1977, Biola acquired the graduate programs of Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology and relocated them to the La Mirada campus. Biola added a School of Intercultural Studies in 1983, through funds from the abandoned property of the Hunan Bible Institute in China, a School of Business in 1993, and a School of Education in 2007.


title: Biola University

text: Biola holds two annual student conferences, the Missions Conference during the spring semester and the Torrey Memorial Bible Conference during the fall semester.


title: Biola University

text: The Missions Conference is the largest annual missions conference and the second largest missions conference in the world, second only to the tri-annual Urbana Missions Conference. It is a three-day student-run event that is intended to inspire students towards missionary activity and provide information about missionary work. Classes are canceled Wednesday through Friday in the middle of spring semester to accommodate this. The conference offers ethnic meals, cultural awareness field trips, on-campus cultural experiences, and interaction with missionaries.


title: Biola University

text: The Torrey Memorial Bible Conference is also a three-day conference dedicated to students' spiritual growth. Every year a specific topic is chosen that is geared towards the typical college student's spiritual needs.


title: Biola University

text: The annual one-day Biola Media Conference seeks to advance the integration of faith and the arts. It brings together Christian media leaders and other Christians for education, inspiration, and networking.


title: Biola University

text: On November 16, 1996, the university hosted the first national conference on intelligent design. Later, Intervarsity Press published "Mere Creation" (), a collection of the papers presented at the conference. Subsequent intelligent design conferences were held at the university in 2002 and 2004.


title: Biola University

text: Since 2015, Biola requires students to attend 5 conference sessions and 20 chapel services per semester, or face a financial penalty.


title: Biola University

text: On October 8, 2007, Biola opened the Charles L. Feinberg Center for Messianic Jewish Studies in Manhattan. The center offers a Masters in Divinity in Messianic Jewish Studies. The program, which is in cooperation with Chosen People Ministries, focuses on the education and training of leaders in the Messianic Jewish community. The program is approved by the New York State Board of Regents and the Association of Theological Schools.


title: Biola University

text: Biola offers forty-seven undergraduate majors, eighty concentrations, and more than one hundred fifty professional fields of study. Degrees awarded include B.A., B.S., B.M., B.F.A., M.A., M.B.A., M.Div., Th.M., D.Min., D.Miss., Psy.D., Ed.D., and Ph.D. All are institutionally and professionally accredited and integrated with Christian doctrine.


title: Biola University

text: Crowell School of Business is an undergraduate and graduate business school located in La Mirada, California, at Biola University. In 1993, the school was established as the fifth school of Biola University. In 2005, the school was renamed the Crowell School of Business after a donation from the Crowell family who has deep ties to the history of Biola University. The late Donald Warren Crowell was the great-nephew of Lula Crowell, wife of Biola co-founder Lyman Stewart. The new building opened in 2007 to host both graduate and undergraduate classes.


title: Biola University

text: Crowell offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Masters in Professional Accountancy (MPAcc), both of which can be obtained through a full-time or part-time schedule. Both programs are accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges; the MBA program is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The undergraduate program at Crowell offers majors in accounting and in business administration with emphasis in international business, management, marketing, marketing management and business analytics. The school offers a minor in business administration available to all undergraduates at Biola University. The undergraduate program boasts approximately four hundred students, making it the largest undergraduate program at Biola.


title: Biola University

text: The School of Education was established in 2007, originally started as the Education Department in 1952. It offers biblically integrated courses and programs that exist to train those who desire to make an impact as educators and administrators in public, private, homeschool, charter and international schools. At the undergraduate level, the School of Education is home to the elementary education, multidisciplinary majors and liberal studies, which consistently rank among the most popular undergraduate majors at Biola. At the graduate level, the School of Education offers Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Arts in Education programs, which can be tailored to meet the individual interests of new and experienced teachers alike. The School of Education also offers a state-accredited teacher preparation program, which offers teaching credentials at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.


title: Biola University

text: All undergraduate students are required to take thirty units of Bible classes, regardless of their major, resulting in a minor in theological and biblical studies. The mission of Biola University is "biblically centered education, scholarship, and service—equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ."


title: Biola University

text: In its 2017 college rankings, "U.S. News & World Report" ranked Biola in its "Best National Universities" category, ranking Biola 159 out of 311 national universities. Biola was one of only two national universities in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) to be included in the first tier. In 2013 Biola was listed as one of nineteen "up-and-coming" national universities by "U.S. News". In 2017 Niche ranked Biola as #33 of 364 best Christian colleges in America and #11 of 90 safest college campuses in California.


title: Biola University

text: Torrey Honors College, formerly Torrey Honors Institute, is a classical literature great books program started by Dr. John Mark Reynolds in 1995 and named after Reuben Archer Torrey. Classes in the department are used to meet most of the general education requirements at Biola University in four years; the program does not offer a major or minor. The Torrey Honors College is patterned after the Oxford tutorial system, employing reading, discussion, writing, mentoring, and lectures among other opportunities. The goal of the department is to "equip men and women to pursue truth, goodness and beauty in intellectual and spiritual community, enabling them to be strong Christian leaders."


title: Biola University

text: Biola has over 65 student organizations and clubs. The most prominent are the Student Government Association and the Student Missionary Union.


title: Biola University

text: Biola's Student Government Association (SGA) equips student leaders to advocate for the student experience by funding student initiatives and representation for the undergraduate student body in order to foster Christ-centered community. SGA also sponsors student-initiated and student-run clubs on campus through which anyone can get involved, create community, and develop teamwork and leadership skills. There are more than 40 active clubs on campus.


title: Biola University

text: The Biola Student Missionary Union (SMU) is the largest student-led missions organization in the United States. The ministry focuses in three primary areas: Biola, our city, and the Nations. Students from every background and skill set can live out the Great Commission in their lives through the Missions Conference, Local Missions trips (Jerusalem and Judea project), Short-Term Missions trips and many other opportunities. SMU exists to mobilize students to align their lives towards the completion of the Great Commission. Their desire is to consistently raise up generations of student leaders who passionately and obediently serve Jesus throughout their lives.


title: Biola University

text: In May 2012, an underground LGBTQ community, calling themselves the Biola Queer Underground, launched a website in support of promoting dialogue and reconsideration of Biola's expulsion policy regarding homosexual behavior. The covert group requested to be accepted as a facet of diversity within the campus, declaring that, despite traditional church teaching on homosexuality, they held similar Christian beliefs and values to the university. The website was advertised on campus without authorization, and garnered national attention from the mainstream media. The Biola administration released a formal statement on their views on human sexuality shortly afterwards, and gave a chapel message reiterating their view that marriage is strictly between a man and woman. In the Spring of 2013, William Haggerty and Natasha Magness, both former students of the university, were interviewed by Biola's student newspaper, revealing that they were the co-founders of the organization.


title: Biola University

text: Since then, The Dwelling, a university-sanctioned LGBTQ organization, has been established. It seeks to support LGBT students without endorsing same-sex marriage and related policies.


title: Biola University

text: The Biola athletic teams are called the Eagles. The university is a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest) since the 2017–18 academic year; while its men's and women's swimming & diving teams compete in the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference (PCSC). They were also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the West Region of the Division I level. The Eagles previously competed in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1994–95 to 2016–17.


title: Biola University

text: Biola competes in 18 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field and water polo; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball and water polo. Former sports included men's golf and men’s wrestling.


title: Biola University

text: In 2012, Biola inducted three alumni into Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame. The athletics department inducted Todd Worrell (baseball), Becky White (volleyball and women's basketball) and Wade Kirchmeyer (men's basketball). The school has since inducted 14 more alumni, including: Jim Blagg, Dr. Clyde Cook, Musa Dogonyaro, Ronn Johnson, Natasha Miller, Ben Orr, Jessica Pistole, Rianne Schorel and Tim Worrell.


title: Biola University

text: L)C), but since, they compete in a new conference, the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC). A club women's lacrosse team began competition in 2012 in the Western Women's Lacrosse League (WWLL). Biola also has a club men's rugby team that began playing in the SCRFU in 2013.


title: Biola University

text: In 2005, the university's soccer pitch, Al Barbour Field, was completely rebuilt, incorporating a FieldTurf synthetic grass surface, new lighting, and a parking garage beneath the field.


title: Biola University

text: In 2013, Biola's softball field was newly renovated. The new "Freedom Field" contains an upgraded facility complete with new dugouts, bullpens, a team room and other major improvements.


title: Biola University

text: On July 20, 2016, Biola University's application for membership into the NCAA Division II had been approved for the three-year membership process. The Eagles continued as an active member of the GSAC and the NAIA for the 2016–17 school year while completing Provisional Year One with the NCAA. In Provisional Year Two (2017–18), Biola joined the PacWest Conference and competed primarily against NCAA opponents. With successful completion of Provisional Year Three (2018–19) of the membership process, the Eagles will gain full, active NCAA D-II membership and become eligible to compete for NCAA Division II championships beginning as early as 2019–20.


title: Biola University

text: In 2012, the Biola University Center for Christian Thought (CCT) was launched, funded by a $3.03 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation, the largest academic grant ever awarded to Biola University. The CCT is a forum where leading Christian thinkers from around the world gather to research and discuss issues of significance to the academy, the church, and the broader culture. In 2013, the Biola University Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts (CCCA) was launched, funded with a grant from philanthropists Howard and Roberta Ahmanson's Fieldstead and Company. The CCCA sponsors events and symposia, produces online resources and strives to facilitate thoughtful reflection on the interplay of Christian faith, the larger culture and the world of the arts. In October 2014, Biola launched the Center for Marriage and Relationships (CMR). The center exists to build and sustain healthy relationships and marriages in the church and broader culture. They strive to provide a safe place for individuals, couples and families to share their stories and be heard. CMR also desires to restore and inspire a vision of marriage that reflects the beautiful model of Christ's redeeming love for the church. In Fall of 2017, Biola launched the Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today, funded by a $3 million donation. Located within Talbot School of Theology, the center is a 10-year initiative that provides resources for students and scholars.


title: Biola University

text: The university has been involved in the publication of the following magazines and academic journals:


title: General Atlantic

text: General Atlantic (also known as "GA") is an American growth equity firm providing capital and strategic support for global growth companies, headquartered in New York, United States. The firm was founded in 1980 as the captive investment team for Atlantic Philanthropies, a philanthropic organization founded by Charles F. Feeney, the billionaire co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers Ltd.


title: General Atlantic

text: As of November 2021, General Atlantic has over $86 billion in assets under management and focuses on investments across five sectors, including Technology, Consumer, Financial Services, Healthcare, and Life Sciences. The firm has 185 investment professionals based in New York City, Stamford, Palo Alto, Sao Paulo, London, Munich, Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai, Mexico City, Singapore, and Jakarta.


title: General Atlantic

text: General Atlantic was founded in 1980 as the captive investment team inside of Atlantic Philanthropies, founded by billionaire Charles F. Feeney a co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers Group. Two of the world’s richest men, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, credit Feeney as a major inspiration for both the $30 billion-strong Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Giving Pledge, which has enlisted more than 90 of the world’s richest to (eventually) grant half their wealth to charity.


title: General Atlantic

text: The firm was initially led by CEO Edwin Cohen, previously a partner of McKinsey & Company. Cohen was joined by Steven A. Denning, also from McKinsey & Company, as a founding member of the firm. Steven Denning served as General Atlantic’s CEO from 1995 to 2006 and is now Chairman Emeritus. William (Bill) E. Ford, who joined the firm in 1991, is the current Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic. In November 2019, General Atlantic announced the appointments of Gabriel Caillaux, Martín Escobari, and Anton Levy to Co-Presidents of the firm, expanding its senior leadership team with the newly-created roles. In December 2019, General Atlantic's Global Co-Head of Financial Services Paul Stamas was selected as one of GrowthCap's Top 40 Under 40 Growth Investors of 2019.


title: General Atlantic

text: General Atlantic focused initially on investments in computer software, oil and gas exploration, real estate and retailing. Among the firm's first major investments was United Health Services, which tripled in value in three years for the firm. By the late 1980s, General Atlantic began to expand its funding sources to include other family offices, as well as foundations and endowments.


title: General Atlantic

text: Coincident with General Atlantic's expansion of its funding source, the firm began exploring expanding its presence overseas. Starting in 1999, General Atlantic began to open offices in Europe and Asia and currently has 14 offices globally. In 2018 General Atlantic invested in UK investment start-up Greensill Capital in an attempt to challenge traditional lending systems. In 2019 the firm continued its investments in EMEA region by acquiring majority share in Kiwi.com.


title: General Atlantic

text: General Atlantic backed Royalty Pharma ahead of the company's 2020 IPO, which was among the largest U.S. IPOs that year and was the second-largest pharmaceutical listing ever. The firm also expanded its footprint in Asia in 2020 with an $870 million investment in India's digital services platform Jio Platforms.


title: General Atlantic

text: In 2018, General Atlantic entered into a joint venture, Nucom ecommerce, with German mass media company ProSiebenSat.1 Media. Later that year, NuComn purchased U.S.-based online dating website eHarmony.


title: Legal status of Salvia divinorum in the United States

text: The legal status of "Salvia divinorum" in the United States varies, with 29 states (and the territory of Guam) having completely banned it and others considering proposals for banning its use.


text: In late 2002, Rep. Joe Baca (D- California) introduced a bill (Congress bill HR 5607) to schedule salvia as a controlled substance at the national level. Those opposed to Joe Baca's bill include Daniel Siebert, who sent a letter to Congress arguing against the proposed legislation, and the Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics (CCLE), who sent key members of the US Congress a report on "Salvia divinorum" and its active principle, along with letters from an array of scientists who expressed concern that scheduling "Salvia divinorum" would negatively impact important research on the plant. Baca's bill did not pass.


text: Despite this, a number of states have proposed their own legislation. For example, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, North Dakota, and Minnesota have so far passed laws prohibiting "Salvia divinorum". "Salvia divinorum" remains legal in other states, however. Though some bills have died during session, the situation is subject to further change pending the outcome of more recent bills still at the proposal stage.


text: Similar to the international situation, in the United States, where individual state legislation does exist, it varies from state to state in its prohibitive degree. Some states, such as Delaware, Louisiana, and Missouri, have imposed the strictest Schedule I classification. By contrast, the state of Maine has passed laws imposing age restrictions, prohibiting use by and sale to minors under 18 years of age – in a manner generally consistent with controls existing for tobacco and alcohol.


text: Tennessee has some provision for "Salvia divinorum" in its natural plant form. – There the law classes its use as a 'Class A misdemeanor', but it is not an offence to possess, plant, cultivate, grow, or harvest "Salvia divinorum" for "aesthetic, landscaping, or decorative purposes".


text: In some states there is no mention of "Salvia divinorums's" active constituent at all. In Delaware for example the plant in its natural form is classified as 'Schedule I', while much more potent purely extracted salvinorin A remains quite legal.


text: In Illinois, the wording of the legislation does not mention salvinorin A either, but instead includes "the seeds thereof, any extract from any part of that plant, and every compound, "[...]" derivative, mixture, or preparation of that plant". Daniel Siebert has criticised this wording as being "absurdly broad in scope, for it implies that any substance extracted from "Salvia divinorum" (water, chlorophyll, whatever) would be treated as a Schedule I controlled substance under the proposed law."


text: The DEA has indicated on its website that it is aware of "Salvia divinorum" and is evaluating the plant for possible scheduling. Daniel Siebert claims he was informed on July 20, 2007, that the DEA had initiated an Eight Factor Analysis of "Salvia divinorum". The Controlled Substances Act requires that this analysis be performed before a substance can be scheduled as a controlled substance. The eight factors considered are:


text: Based on the results of the analysis, the DEA may recommend that "Salvia divinorum" be scheduled as a controlled substance. This analysis will probably take several months to be completed. Siebert said "Given that there is no compelling evidence to suggest that "Salvia divinorum" presents a significant risk to public safety, I am hopeful that the DEA will be reasonable and not criminalize this beneficial plant unnecessarily. If they do decide to criminalize it, it will take a minimum of 30 days after they give public notice of their intentions in the Federal Register before the change of legal status takes effect."


text: This table summarizes the status of various state proposals for salvia legislation, with links to following detail state by state.


text: On March 29, 2007, Senator Hank Erwin (R) proposed Senate Bill 330, which would have made "Salvia divinorum" a Schedule I substance in Alabama; however, the bill died in the Senate Judiciary Committee.


text: On October 18, 2007, State Senator Roger Bedford (D-Russellville), and Representative Johnny Mack Morrow (D-Red Bay) were reported as saying that they are going to propose legislation again that would make salvia a Schedule I drug, in Alabama.


text: Morrow said – "Drug dealers throughout America are always trying to come up with new methods of selling our children drugs," [...] "This legislation is all about protecting our children."


text: Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said that he hopes Alabama can step up as a leader in fighting to control it before it becomes a major problem – "It's cheap, it's easy to buy and it's dangerous," [...] "Those are combinations that we need to stop before it's too late" he said.


text: In May 2008, it was reported that Senator Bedford's bill had died, having never got onto the Senate's work agenda.


text: Senator Hank Erwin, who was sponsoring a salvia bill for the second year, was reported as saying that he will try again next year "because people of any age can legally buy salvia in Alabama".


text: On April 5, 2006, Senator Gene P. Therriault (R) proposed adding "Salvia divinorum" to Alaska's list of Schedule IIA controlled substances. The bill died in committee.


text: On February 2, 2008, the Anchorage Daily News reported that the bill still remained in the finance committee, but that Therriault hoped it would be addressed in the 2008 session. The bill did not progress last time because it got buried behind higher-priority bills that needed to be heard in Finance, said Miles Baker, legislative assistant to Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, who co-chairs the committee.


text: Therriault claimed that the drug's effects are similar to LSD's, and too powerful, dangerous and unpredictable to leave it unrestricted. "What I'm trying to do here is be proactive instead of reactive to the newest drug on the scene," he said. Theriault also communicated in an email to an individual expressing concern over the criminalization of this plant that "we cannot have people worshiping plants" which raises concern over his Baptist background and the separation of religion and State.


text: Lt. Andy Greenstreet, deputy commander of the Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement said, "Reports of problems stemming from the plant's use are rare to nonexistent in Alaska."


text: Jack Degenstein, with the Alaska Libertarian Party, who opposed Therriault's bill in a Senate hearing in 2007, said, "This is absolutely not a public safety risk" [...] "just because it's powerful doesn't mean it's dangerous."


text: Jason Dowell, chairman of the Alaska Libertarian Party, said people should have the freedom to choose, especially when the choice is about a plant that has had traditional medicinal uses in Mexico. "It's ridiculous that they would try to make plants illegal," Dowell said. "It's just a recipe for disaster. They're going to send innocent people to prison and invade their privacy."


text: Daniel Seibert's website reported that Therriault's second salvia bill (Senate Bill 38) also died in committee.


text: However, in February 2009, it was reported that Alaska's Health and Social Services committee has passed (referred to the next stage Judiciary committee) Therriault's third attempt to outlaw salvia (Senate Bill 52).


text: "The problem with continuing to allow uncontrolled access to salvia is that the long term effects appear to be the same as other hallucinogens, such as LSD and mescaline, and that is often depression and schizophrenia," said Sen. Gene Therriault.


text: On February 5, 2007, Assembly Member Anthony Adams (R) proposed Assembly Bill 259. The bill wording was amended on March 12, 2007, to include salvinorin A. The bill proposed adding "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A to California's list of Schedule I controlled substances.


text: The bill was referred to the Committee on Public Safety with a due date for public hearing on March 27, 2007. The bill analysis, indicated that opposition to the bill was registered by, among others, Daniel Siebert and the Drug Policy Alliance. The bill was defeated in Committee by a 3–2 vote. A reconsideration was granted and the second hearing was on January 15, 2008.


text: The bill wording was significantly amended on January 7, 2008. The proposal for Schedule I classification was dropped and replaced instead with restrictions on the sale to minors. Section 379 to be added to the penal code – "Every person who sells, dispenses, distributes, furnishes, administers, gives, or offers to sell, dispense, distribute, furnish, administer, or give "Salvia divinorum" or salvinorin A, or any substance or material containing "Salvia divinorum" or salvinorin A, to any person who is less than 18 years of age, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment."


text: The amended bill was passed out from the Assembly Committee on Appropriations to 'Consent Calendar' with a recommendation 'Do Pass' (Ayes 16, Noes 0) on January 24, 2008, having passed the Assembly Committee on Public Safety (Ayes 7, Noes 0) the previous week.


text: Adams said he was initially asked to address the issue of "Salvia divinorum" by officials from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Lt. Barbara Ferguson, the department's legislative liaison, said "I am not real happy with the limited bill that we have. Our intention, when we started this, was to make it completely illegal. ... But because of how liberal the legislature is here in California, that was impossible to do. There will come a time when we can completely outlaw it here in California."


text: It was reported that Anthony Adams had met Kathy Chidester during discussions over the bill. Kathy Chidester believes salvia was a contributing factor to her son's suicide, which occurred in January 2006. She argued for an outright ban in her home state of Delaware. Schedule I classification was introduced there three months after the teenager's death in the form of "Brett’s law". Since then Kathy Chidester has campaigned more widely to see bans introduced in other states.


text: Adams's amended bill restricting the sale to minors passed unanimously in the Assembly on January 29, 2008 (Ayes: 76, Nays: 0). It passed in the Senate on July 2, 2008 (ayes: 23, nays: 5). Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed the bill into law on July 22, 2008. It went into effect on January 1, 2009.


text: On January 23, 2006, Delaware teenager, Brett Chidester took his own life by climbing into a tent with a charcoal grill where he died of carbon monoxide poisoning. In an essay found after his death, he wrote "Salvia allows us to give up our senses and wander in the interdimensional time and space…Also, and this is probably hard for most to accept, our existence in general is pointless. Final point: Us earthly humans are nothing." Even though it was written earlier, Brett's notes have subsequently been presented in media reports as if they were part of his suicide note. Brett's suicide note did not mention salvia. There are arguably more relevant factors, with the extent and significance of Brett's use of alcohol being a matter of contention , and with it being reported that Brett had been suffering from depression. Given the details of Brett's suicide, in particular its premeditated nature and slow method, it is unlikely that he was immediately under "Salvia divinorum's" influence at the time of his death. There have been no other reported cases of salvia-related suicides anywhere else in the world. Also, Brett had told his parents that he had actually ceased his experimentation with the plant.


text: Despite the doubts that have been expressed about the lack of evidence against salvia in this case, Senator Karen Peterson sponsored Senate Bill 259, "Brett’s law", which passed as state legislation classifying "Salvia divinorum" as a Schedule I controlled substance.


text: Senator Karen Peterson and Brett's parents Kathy and Dennis Chidester have subsequently continued to campaign for and support Schedule I legislation beyond their home state of Delaware.


text: "Salvia divinorum" is a Schedule I controlled substance in the state of Florida making it illegal to buy, sell, or possess in Florida. Its listing in Schedule I reads as follows:


text: This reveals a certain level of incompetence or sloppyness in whomever wrote the statute since "Salvia divinorum" is a plant, not a chemical, and therefore cannot have isomers, esters, ethers, salts, nor salts of isomers, esters, or ethers. However, this is addressed on the next line of the statute with the listing of salvia A.


text: The Florida statute lists "Salvia divnorum" and salvia A as separate substances, thusly making possession of the plant illegal as well as the salts of isomers, esters, or ethers derived from the plant.


text: In March 2008 it was reported that Florida state Representative Mary Brandenburg had proposed a bill to make possession of salvia a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.


text: "As soon as we make one drug illegal, kids start looking around for other drugs they can buy legally. This is just the next one," said Brandenburg.


text: Florida state Senator Evelyn Lynn, who was on the committee to study the salvia bill, said salvia should be criminalized. "I'd rather be at the front edge of preventing the dangers of the drug than waiting until we are the 40th or more," she said.


text: The House bill number was HB 1363. It proposed including "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A on Florida's Schedule I list of controlled substances. There were also similar Senate bills SB340, and SB1612 proposed concurrently.


text: On April 16, 2008, HB1363 passed the House, and advanced to the Senate floor. On April 23, 2008, the bill unanimously passed the Senate by a vote of 39–0. Having passed both House and Senate, the bill was signed into law on May 29, 2008, by Governor Charlie Crist becoming effective July 1, 2008.


text: Representative Brandenburg has received political campaign contributions from beer, wine and liquor-related industries. Senator Lynn has received political campaign contributions from industries including tobacco companies and tobacco product sales, and beer, wine and liquor-related industries.


text: On March 8, 2007, Senator John Bulloch, (R-Ochlocknee), filed Senate Bill SB295, which proposes that "It shall be unlawful to knowingly produce, manufacture, distribute, possess, or possess with intent to produce, manufacture, or distribute the active chemical ingredient in the hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum A" (sic).


text: Violation of the proposed law would be considered a misdemeanor under Georgia's code. It would not apply to "the possession, planting, cultivation, growing, or harvesting of such hallucinogenic plant strictly for aesthetic, landscaping, or decorative purposes".


text: Sen. John Bulloch reportedly saw a report on an Atlanta television news station about the increased use of "Salvia divinorum". He was quoted as saying – "I thought, 'Why hasn't somebody already jumped on this?'" before filing Senate Bill 295. "I hurriedly got legislative counsel to draft the bill…Everything that I read about it is it's considered to be a hallucinogenic drug…A lot of the reading that I've found on it says that it gives a quicker and more intense high than LSD." Senator Don Thomas (R-Dalton), a physician and member of the reviewing Senate Health and Human Services Committee, was reported as saying—"I just know about the publicity of the dangers of it, and the use of it, so my first impression is to ban anything of that nature".


text: As of July 1, 2010, Georgia code lists salvinorin A as a dangerous drug, prohibiting its sale, distribution, and possession. The only exemption to this is the 'possession, planting, cultivation, growing, or harvesting of "Salvia divinorum" or "Salvia divinorum A" strictly for aesthetic, landscaping, or decorative purposes' O.C.G.A. § 16-13-72


text: On January 19, 2006, Senator John J. Millner (R) introduced Senate Bill 2589, to the Illinois State Legislature. This bill sought to add "Salvia divinorum" to that state's list of Schedule I controlled substances. The Bill failed to pass as the session ended sine die (adjourned with no date set for resumption).


text: On January 26, 2007, Representative Dennis M. Reboletti (R) filed House Bill HB457 which proposed Schedule I classification for "Salvia divinorum" (including "the seeds thereof, any extract from any part of that plant, and every compound, [...] derivative, mixture, or preparation of that plant"). The bill does not mention the active chemical constituent salvinorin A. Daniel Siebert criticised this wording as being "absurdly broad in scope, for it implies that any substance extracted from "Salvia divinorum" (water, chlorophyll, whatever) would be treated as a Schedule I controlled substance under the proposed law."


text: In March 2007, news of the bill's passage on Reboletti's website alleged that salvia is a "powerful psychoactive plant which in appearance looks like marijuana but has the psychoactive properties of LSD". Reboletti said, "It's important that we in the legislature are proactive in protecting our children from highly addictive substances" and "For a drug to be classified as a Schedule 1 substance signifies that it's a highly dangerous and potentially lethal drug for its user. Hopefully, the passage of my bill will bring attention to "Magic Mint" and help law enforcement combat the future rise of this drug." "Salvia divinorum" article references and other sources indicate, however, that salvia does not look like marijuana. Its psychoactive properties are not like those of LSD, and that "Salvia divinorum" is not generally understood to be either addictive or toxic.


text: By May 22, 2007, HB0457 had received support from all 173 members in both bodies of the democratic majority Illinois General Assembly. It was sent to the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich (D), on June 20, 2007 and was signed into law on Friday August 17, 2007. The law came into effect on January 1, 2008.


text: In a statement given prior to the bill coming into effect Reboletti said, "I've seen the argument to legalize marijuana. It is a gateway drug, like salvia could be a gateway drug," and "We decided to move forward rather than waiting for someone to be killed because of it."


text: A critical editorial was published by the "Chicago Sun-Times" on the eve of Reboletti's law coming into effect. It commented – "Legislators must have been on something to zero in on this obscure organic substance ... The last time we checked, Illinois was not besieged by a salvia epidemic. We don't see the urgency in criminalizing a substance with no clear track record of causing people to act in a dangerous manner or hurt other people ... considering how overcrowded our prisons are with dangerous criminals, trolling around for more nonviolent drug offenders to punish is counterintuitive... Regulating use of, rather than banning salvia, would have been a more sober approach."


text: Alcohol-related financial contributions featured highly for Representative Dennis Reboletti's 2006 political campaign. According to OpenSecrets, 'Beer, Wine & Liquor' was his seventh highest industry contributor.


text: A few days after a local TV news report aired in November 2007, a follow-up story reported that Representative Dennis Avery (D-Evansville) was interested in a possible ban. Representative Avery was quoted as saying – "I had never heard of this product until a very short time ago when 14 News brought it to my attention." The news report went on to say – "Several local drug prevention organizations and area law enforcement tell 14 News there hasn't been any indication salvia is a problem substance."


text: An online poll was conducted in connection with Indianapolis news channel's stories also in November 2007, asking the question – "Do you believe Indiana should regulate "Salvia divinorum"?" A majority of 76% of the polls respondents were opposed to outright prohibition (59% preferring age regulations, and 17% no restrictions at all).


text: On January 13, 2008, it was reported that State Representative Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville) was proposing a bill that wants Indiana law rewritten to declare "Salvia divinorum" a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Crouch's proposal would make the manufacture, sale or possession with intent to deliver salvia a Class B felony, carrying a potential penalty of 6 to 20 years.


text: The offense would be a Class A felony if the delivery or sale of "Salvia divinorum" were to someone under age 18, on a school bus or within 1,000 feet of school property, a park, family housing complex or youth program center. A conviction for a Class A felony would carry a 50- to a life sentence. The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee.


text: Crouch was reported as saying – "The fact it has that kind of (hallucinogenic) reaction and is not illegal certainly caused me to look at it seriously".


text: An editorial published by the Evansville Courier & Press on January 15, 2008, asked – " Are the proposed penalties of decades in prison appropriate? It's easy to demand Draconian sentences, until it's your teenager who gets caught". It suggested that there were other, more pressing, concerns for Indiana's lawmakers during the 2008 legislative session, saying – "Crouch's bill instead should be referred to a study committee for hearings this summer, with an eye to considering it in the 2009 session. It's not as if we have an epidemic of "Salvia divinorum" abuse that requires immediate action."


text: Alcohol-related financial contributions featured highly for Representative Suzanne Crouch's 2006 political campaign. According to OpenSecrets, 'Beer, Wine & Liquor' was her eighth highest industry contributor.


text: On January 18, 2007, the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy proposed two House/Senate Study Bills. "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A as Schedule I controlled substances. As of July 29, 2011, Governor Terry Branstad signed these bills into law, making "Salvia divinorum" a Schedule One Controlled Substance in Iowa.


text: On January 18, 2008, Senate bill 481 was proposed to amend current Kansas state law to add "Salvia divinorum" and datura stramonium (jimson weed) to schedule I of the Kansas Controlled Substances Act. The fiscal note from the Division of Budget stated the passage of this bill would have no fiscal effect.


text: The proponents of the bill included Senator Peggy Mast; Tom Stanton, Kansas County and District Attorneys Association; and Teresa Walters, Emporians for Drug Awareness. There was no testimony in opposition to the bill.


text: On her website Peggy Mast said - "A bill that would outlaw salvia has entered the Senate as well as one in the House. It looks positive that these bills will get the support needed in both chambers. This drug has become widely abused and it is time to pass legislation to make it illegal."


text: The bill was passed by the Senate (yeas 40 nays 0) on February 20, 2008 and moved on for review by the House Judiciary committee. The House voted in favor of the bill on March 27, 2008 (ayes: 122, nays: 1). On April 14, 2008, it was sent to Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) for executive approval.


text: On April 24, 2008, the bill was signed into law by the Governor, making Kansas the 9th state to criminalize the possession, use, or sale of "Salvia divinorum".


text: In February 2009, Representative Will Coursey (D-Benton) was reported as having introduced a bill that would make possession of "Salvia divinorum" a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days. Cultivation of "Salvia divinorum" would be a Class A misdemeanor, which could bring up to 12 months in jail. Trafficking in iuoy "Salvia divinorum" would also be a misdemeanor, and the penalty would depend upon the amount. House Bill 228 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.


text: Representative Coursey said he heard about the drug in talking with youth group leaders in Western Kentucky who encouraged him to file the legislation. House Speaker Greg Stumbo (D-Prestonsburg) co-sponsored the bill. Stumbo said, "During my time in the legislature, and especially as attorney general, I have heard far too many stories of Kentuckians getting trapped in the drug culture, and it appears that salvia could be the next gateway drug for many. We need to stop that before it gets a foothold in the state."


text: Jennifer Brislin, a spokeswoman for the state Justice Cabinet, said the bill was something that they had been pushing. "We see it as a growing problem. We are just trying to stay ahead of the curve."


text: Representative Coursey said that Kentucky State Police officials and Van Ingram, acting director of Kentucky's Office of Drug Control Policy, are among the bill's proponents. "The last thing we need in Kentucky is another substance for people in Kentucky to be abusing," said Ingram.


text: Officer Chris Sutton, a spokesman for the Lexington police department, said they hadn't had any recorded complaints about salvia. But Sutton said the department supports the legislation because it aims to make the public safer, "If it has detrimental effects on its users, it concerns us." he said.


text: Effective June 8, 2011 KRS 218A.1451 stated: "Possession of salvia is a Class B misdemeanor" and that "A person is guilty of possession of salvia when he or she knowingly and unlawfully possesses salvia for human consumption."


text: Effective from August 8, 2005 (signed into law on June 28, 2005), Louisiana Act No 159 made 40 plants, including "Salvia divinorum", illegal if sold for human consumption. It is still legal to own the plants. Simple possession of an illegal form of Salvia is a felony for which the maximum sentence is 5 years; production (even for personal use) or distribution (even for free) has a maximum sentence of 10 years and a minimum sentence of 2 years. In addition, the defendant can even be sentenced to hard labor for either offense.


text: In December 2006, Rep. Chris Barstow proposed legislation for the State of Maine. According to reports Barstow believes salvia "is a drug very similar to LSD" and "We need to have it banned as soon as possible." Barstow's initial bill proposed that "Salvia divinorum" be broadly classed the same as marijuana (classified as 'Schedule Z' in Maine). Under the proposed bill possession of "Salvia divinorum" is a 'Class E' crime, and trafficking or furnishing of "Salvia divinorum" is a 'Class D' crime.


text: Barstow's action followed an approach from Kimberly A. Johnson, director of the Maine Office of Substance Abuse, after she had seen "Salvia divinorum" on sale in her home town of Gorham. Johnson indicated that she would not be satisfied with only the enforcement of age restrictions to control salvia, asserting—"This drug is just as dangerous to someone who's 30 as someone who's 17".


text: Lawmakers on the Criminal Justice Committee amended the proposed bill on February 6, 2007. The amendment proposed regulating salvia only for minors, so that selling or providing "Salvia divinorum" to anyone under the age of 18 would be a criminal offense. Possession by a minor would be a civil violation, punishable by a fine and community service. Adults 18 and over could continue to legally purchase and use the herb.


text: According to news reports, several committee members at the work session questioned the need to criminalize a drug that had not been causing a problem and apparently has little or no addictive potential.


text: The amended measure was signed by the governor on May 15, 2007. It was "Passed to be enacted" (last Senate action) on September 5, 2007.


text: On January 28, 2008, Councilwoman Belinda Conaway (D), together with several fellow Democrat cosponsors, introduced Bill No. 08-0032 and Bill No. 08-0006R to the Baltimore City Council. These bills sought to prohibit the sale, possession, and use of salvia. Conaway said she was not aware of a problem in Baltimore City, but she wanted "to be on the front end." Other Maryland officials said they did not see salvia use as a widespread problem. The bills did not make it out of committee.


text: On January 14, 2009, Senator Richard Colburn (R) introduced Senate Bill 9 to the Maryland State Legislature. If enacted, this bill would make "Salvia divinorum" a Schedule I controlled substance in that state. The text only mentions "Salvia divinorum" it does not mention salvinorin A. The bill was co-sponsored by delegates Adelaide C. Eckardt (R-37B-Dorchester), and Jeannie Haddaway (R-37B-Talbot).


text: Haddaway said members of the Worcester County Commissioners brought the issue to her and Colburn that salvia was available without restriction at several Boardwalk retailers. "It's considered by most scientists to be more potent than LSD, and it's readily accessible to anyone in the state of Maryland who wants to purchase it. All around us, states are restricting it or banning it, and in Maryland you can still get it. Young people who may not have ever tried drugs before can legally purchase this and not realize how potent this is or what the effect is going to be."


text: Colburn noted the hundreds of thousands of videos posted on the Web site YouTube showing people under salvia's influence, saying, "It's nothing short of disturbing. Watch it for yourselves. See how they lose all coordination, experience emotional swings, dizziness and nausea. Now, imagine that person is your child or grandchild."


text: Salvia was blamed for the suicide of Delaware teen Brett Chidester in January 2006, shortly after which Delaware became the first state to outlaw salvia under what was dubbed "Brett's Law". His mother, Kathleen Chidester, has advocated for similar laws across the United States. "My hope and goal is to have salvia regulated across the U.S. It's my son's legacy and I will not end my fight until this happens." she said in written testimony in support of Colburn's bill. With over 4,000 teen suicides in the US per year, there is no way conclusively to determine if "Salvia divinorum" caused this suicide.


text: Colburn was reported as saying it's possible the bill could be amended to regulate salvia, rather than ban it outright, depending out how the bill escapes from committees.


text: The bill has opposition from the Drug Policy Alliance in Maryland, which called it an "unwarranted extension of the U.S. war on drugs." Naomi Long, director of the group's Washington metro area branch, urged legislators to reject the proposal, calling salvia's medical value "very promising" for treating health issues from depression and eating disorders to HIV infections. She also warned that if criminalized, salvia could be driven underground. Long said "the most effective approach" would combine age controls with restrictions on who could sell it, and where it gets placed in a store. She said lawmakers should model salvia regulations after tobacco laws, which, along with education campaigns, she said led to a dramatic drop in cigarette use among preteens since 1999. "We didn't have to criminalize tobacco or create long prison sentences for cigarettes to achieve these amazing results," she said. "The decrease was due to quality, comprehensive education at all grade levels about the health consequences of smoking and strict laws about sales to minors. This approach is working for tobacco."


text: On May 16, 2007, Representatives Viriato deMacedo (R) and Daniel Webster (R) introduced House Bill 4434 to the Massachusetts State Legislature. If enacted, this legislation would have made "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A Class C controlled substances in that state. However, the bill status indicates that on June 15, the House Committee recommended it ought not to pass (under Joint Rule 10), and a closing entry (January 2009) suggests no further action. On January 12, 2009, Representatives Viriato deMacedo (R) and Daniel Webster (R) reintroduced bills to make Salvia divinorum and salvinorina A Class C controlled substances. These bills are House Bill 1336, House Bill 1789, and House Bill 2037.


text: A town law, enacted by the town's board of selectmen in April 2008, prohibits the sale of "Salvia divinorum" in the Town of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.


text: Boston Municipal Code 16-54 states, in part, that "No person shall sell, offer for sale or possess "Salvia divinorum" or salvinorin A within the City of Boston." This ordinance was adopted in 2009.


text: In January 2009, Boston City Councilor Rob Consalvo called for Boston to outlaw "Salvia divinorum". "I’m scared by this," Consalvo said. "I can see this being the new meth if we don’t get our arms around it." Consalvo, was reportedly outraged that the state legislature has failed to pass a bill making "Salvia divinorum" illegal in 2008, so filed his own legislation in the city council that would make selling or possessing salvia in Boston a crime punishable with a $300 fine.


text: The report went on to quote Sharon Levy, medical director of adolescent substance abuse at Children’s Hospital, "There’s no reason for kids to use this product. It’s a dangerous substance for kids to experiment with." The credibility of such statements are suspect though, considering that developmental studies on "Salvia divinorum" use have not been conducted. Also, salvinorin A produces dysphoria as well as hallucinations, thus making it less likely for users to chronically use it. As far as safety is concerned, it is not possible to lethally overdose on salvinorin A using the common methods of ingestion (smoked/intrabuccal/sublingual/oral). However, the actions of people under the influence of salvinorin A could lead to serious harm (running, falling, drowning, crashing a vehicle, etc.), which is why traditional use suggests having other people present during its use to restrain the user if necessary. In regards to safety in terms of addiction, unlike more traditional hallucinogens like LSD and mescaline, salvinorin A affects kappa Opioid receptors and is noted for its reverse tolerance. As such, using "Salvia divinorum" decreases tolerance to salvinorin A and makes dysphoria more likely with continual use (this effect can turn people away from its use). Thus, like most hallucinogens, salvinorin A has low abuse potential.


text: Elaine Driscoll, a Boston Police Department spokeswoman, said the Hub "has not experienced widespread usage of this substance, however, it is always a good idea to get in front of an issue before it becomes a problem."


text: On April 16, 2010, Representative Rick Jones submitted house bill HB6038, which proposes Schedule I classification of a number of substances including "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A in the state of Michigan. The bill was passed by the House on June 23, 2010 (Yeas: 105 Nays: 1) and after minor changes, approved by the Senate (YEAS 36 NAYS 0 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 1) on September 22, 2010. The bill was signed into law by Governor Granholm September 30, 2010 and took effect October 1, 2010.


text: On February 28, 2008, Representative Joe Atkins introduced House bill HF2949 which proposes that "Salvia divinorum" be added to schedule IV of the controlled substance schedules in Minnesota. Atkins was reportedly concerned that "It's becoming a drug of choice for college kids on campus, because it's legal and readily available."


text: Matt Snyders, a journalist for the Minneapolis newspaper City Pages, tried "Salvia divinorum" for himself as part of his journalistic investigations. On April 9, 2008, he told of calling Representative Atkins and inviting him to do the same in order to research the issue more thoroughly. Snyders argued that Atkins would "be able to brandish his position with more credibility were he to experience the "drug" firsthand." Representative Atkins reply was "Frankly, it's not something that I have a considerable amount of time to do. Even if I wanted to." Snyders then asked "What if only I smoked it? Would you at least want to observe the effects?"


text: A companion bill (Senate Bill 2668) was also introduced by Senator Steve Murphy (D) in 2008. Both bills died with the dissolution of the 85th legislative session.


text: In February 2009, another bill (HF 484) was put up for consideration in the Minnesota House that would make "Salvia divinorum" a Schedule I controlled substance in Minnesota, making sales and possession of the plant a crime. Rep. Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead) is given as the primary author of the bill, with co-authors Rep. Joe Atkins (D-Inver Grove Heights), Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound), Rep. Paul Marquart (R-Dilworth) and Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Good Thunder). A Senate companion bill (SF 569) was authored by Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria), with co-authors Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont), Sen. Joe Gimse (R-Willmar), and Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie). The proposed bill did not pass a committee vote and thus died before making it to the floor.


text: The following year, February 2010, another bill (HF2975) was introduced that would make sale and possession a gross misdemeanor, once again authored by Lanning, with co-authors Atkins, Cornish, Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound), Rep. Denny McNamara (R-Hastings), and later by Karla Bigham (D-Cottage Grove). A companion bill (SF2773) authored by Ingebrigtsen and Rosen in the Senate additionally would make salvinorin A sale and possession illegal. In response to the opposition, Ingebrigtsen said, "We still have to go to battle every day. We don't want a state of euphoria walking around us."


text: Both bills prevailed in committee votes, but the House bill was postponed indefinitely due to wording not being identical (the Senate bill also makes salvinorin A illegal). On April 29, 2010, the Senate bill passed 61–6 and was passed by the House 116-15 on May 13, 2010. The bill was signed by Governor Pawlenty on May 18, 2010, making sale a gross misdemeanor and possession a misdemeanor, effective August 1, 2010.


text: Senator Hob Bryan (D) proposed adding "Salvia divinorum" to Mississippi's Schedule I list of controlled substances in January 2008. The bill sailed through the senate unopposed (Yeas 52, Nays 0), similarly through the House (Yeas 118, Nays 0), and was approved by the governor on April 15, 2008. The law became effective July 1, 2008.


text: After the law had passed, it was reported that Attorney General Jim Hood was sending warnings to Mississippi business owners that it was no longer legal to sell "Salvia divinorum". The Madison County Herald told how local law enforcement raided one store and took all of the salvia stock. The business owner claimed he was unaware that it was now against the law to sell salvia. The Attorney General said, "Many local law enforcement officers are going around and removing salvia from stores within their respective jurisdictions. If the stores have the product, they are given a warning and notified of the recent changes in the law. If they are caught a second time, they will face charges."


text: On January 5, 2005, Representative Rachel L. Bringer introduced House Bill 165 to the Missouri State legislature. This bill sought to add "Salvia divinorum" to that state's list of Schedule I controlled substances. Despite the CCLE sending a letter to Representative Bringer advising of its earlier report to Congress, the following month saw the introduction of House Bill 633, which sought to place "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A in Schedule I and also proposed to add 12 other substances to Missouri's list of controlled substances. This second bill was introduced on February 23, 2005, by Representative Scott A. Lipke (R) and Representative Bringer. On August 28, 2005, the bill was incorporated into section 195.017 of the state's drug regulation statutes. Thus, "Salvia divinorum" became a Schedule I substance in the state of Missouri. Possession is a Class C felony under MRS 195.202, which allows a maximum sentence of 7 years.


text: Attorney General Jon Bruning's office planned to pursue a bill to make "Salvia divinorum" illegal during Nebraska's 2008 legislative session.


text: In a press release aired by Nebraska TV he was reported as saying – "Salvia is a powerful hallucinogen that can be purchased legally. This legislation will make it illegal and put it on par with other powerful drugs like peyote, psychedelic mushrooms and LSD," [...] "Several other states have already made salvia illegal. It's time to add Nebraska to the list."


text: Senator Vickie McDonald supported the legislation, saying – "Videos of teens using this common plant to get high have become an internet sensation," [...] "Nebraska needs to classify "Salvia divinorum" and its active ingredient, salvinorin A, as a controlled substance in order to protect our children from a drug being portrayed as harmless when it's not."


text: The bill proposed addition of "Salvia divinorum" to Schedule I of the Nebraska Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Possessing salvia would have been considered a Class IV felony with a penalty of up to five years. Trafficking would have fallen under a Class III felony with up to a 20 year penalty.


text: In TV reports Senator Vickie McDonald said – "Anytime anything's on YouTube it's an issue," and "Legislators, parents, grandparents, we need to be on top of these things," [...] "We need to protect our children and this is one way we can do it."


text: Senator Vickie McDonald's second highest political campaign contributions from industry groups in 2006 came from "Beer, Wine & Liquor"-related industries. Her third highest campaign contributors in 2006 came from industries related to "Tobacco companies & tobacco product sales".


text: The proposed bill was submitted to the Nebraska legislative process as bill number LB840 on January 10, 2008. However, its status was updated in April 2008, showing on the Nebraskan legislature website as "Indefinitely postponed".


text: In January 2009, it was reported that the Nebraska legislature had voted 44–0 in favour of bill LB 123, proposing "Salvia divinorum" as a Schedule I controlled substance. The bill's sponsor Sen. Russ Karpisek (R-Wilbur) said, "Please, think about our children when you think about this one. It's another gateway drug. I think that it will entice people to use the drug and see what it's like. Scary thought to me."


text: It was reported in June 2008, that a Nebraskan store owner was being prosecuted for selling "Salvia divinorum" at his store. Proposed bills specific to "Salvia divinorum" had not passed into law. However, Christian Firoz was cited under a more general Nebraskan statute where it is illegal to sell a product to induce an intoxicated condition.


text: Susan Kirchmann, Firoz's lawyer, argued that statute is too vague and is unconstitutional – "The law can't be fairly interpreted. It can be interpreted in so many different ways so that anyone that looks at that statute looks at in one way, another person looks at it at another, the next person looks at it in a different way. Because it can be interpreted in many different ways, it doesn't give a person fair notice of what is acceptable behavior or not in this state".


text: However, in September 2008, it was reported that the state's argument, i.e. that "Firoz was not selling cleaning chemicals with no idea they were to be used to get high. Instead, he was knowingly selling salvia his purchasers would use to become intoxicated" had been sided with by Lancaster County Judge Gale Pokorny. In a September 10 order, Pokorny ruled that Firoz must stand trial because he knew what he was selling – "This judge is of the opinion that Mr. Christian Firoz knew precisely that the Salvia Divinorum he was selling was a 'substance' his purchasers were buying intended for human ingestion for the sole purpose of achieving mind-altering intoxication. While there may be others who potentially might be caught up in some confusing terminology contained in these two statutes, Mr. Christian Firoz does not appear to be one of them."


text: The report said Firoz was to go on trial for unlawfully selling a legal substance in October 2008. He faced up to three months in jail and a $500 fine. It was, however, reported in February 2009, that the jury had returned a verdict of not guilty in this case.


text: On April 6, 2006, Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D) announced that she was proposing legislation to ban "Salvia divinorum". On May 15, 2006, Senator Stephen Sweeney] (D) proposed Senate Bill 1867 to the state senate. Assemblywoman Stender introduced an identical bill to the State Assembly on May 22, 2006. It is designated Assembly Bill 3139 and is cosponsored by Assemblyman Jack Conners (D) and Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D). If passed, these bills would classify "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A as Schedule I controlled substances in New Jersey. Neither bill has come up for a vote.


text: As of April 18, 2009, there are still two bills seeking to criminalize salvia pending in the New Jersey Legislature. The bills, A-1323 and S-2436, are pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee, respectively.


text: On January 21, 2009, Representative W. Ken Martinez introduced House Bill 144 to the New Mexico state legislature, sponsored by Representative Keith J. Gardner. If enacted, this legislation would have made "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A Schedule I controlled substances in New Mexico. It passed in the House of Representatives and was sent to the Senate, where it died with a status of Action Postponed Indefinitely. On February 3, 2011, Representative Zachary J. Cook introduced House Bill 336 to the state legislature, also seeking to add "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A to the list of Schedule I controlled substances in New Mexico. HB336 passed in the House of Representatives and was sent to the Senate, where it died with a status of Action Postponed Indefinitely. On January 27, 2014, Senator Sue Wilson Beffort introduced Senate Bill 127 to the legislature, again seeking to add "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A to the list of Schedule I controlled substances in New Mexico. The bill was never voted on, and was given a status of Action Postponed Indefinitely. New Mexico's list of controlled substances is found in New Mexico Statutes, chapter 30, article 31, also known as the "Controlled Substances Act".


text: Salvia is currently legal in the state of New York. Bills to outlaw the sale and possession of Salvia have stalled in the state assembly.


text: One such bill failed to pass during the 2005–06 session. In January 2011, State Sen. John J. Flanagan renewed attempts to have the substance criminalized by drawing attention to the alleged use of Salvia by mass murderer Jared Lee Loughner.


text: State Law 2009-0538 was signed into law by Governor Bev Perdue on August 28, 2009, and came into effect Dec 1st, 2009. The bill makes it unlawful to manufacture, sell, deliver, or possess "Salvia divinorum". A violation of the law on the first or second offense is subject to a fine of not less than twenty‑five dollars ($25.00). On a third or subsequent offense the person is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. There is an exception that the law does not apply to (1) employees or contractors of any accredited college or school of medicine or pharmacy at a public or private university in North Carolina while performing medical or pharmacological research for such institution or to (2) possession, planting, cultivation, growing, or harvesting of a plant strictly for aesthetic, landscaping, or decorative purposes.


text: On January 15, 2007, Senators Dave Oehlke (R) and Randel Christmann (R), together with Representative Brenda Heller (R) proposed Senate Bill 2317 to classify "Salvia divinorum" as Schedule I controlled substance.


text: The original text of the bill only mentioned "Salvia divinorum". The Senate Judiciary Committee amended this on April 5, 2007, changing the bill wording to include salvinorin A and "any of the active ingredients" of "Salvia divinorum". Daniel Siebert has questioned this vague wording – "since it could be interpreted to include many commonly occurring pharmacologically active compounds, such as tannins, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, etc". The amended bill passed in the Senate on February 7, 2007 (ayes: 47, nays: 0). It passed in the House on March 16, 2007 (ayes: 83, nays: 6). It was signed into law by Governor John Hoeven (R) on April 26, 2007. The new law went into effect on August 1, 2007.


text: In April 2008, the case of Bismarck resident Kenneth Rau, a 46-year-old bottling plant worker, was reported as likely being the first person charged for "Salvia divinorum" possession in the United States. He was arrested on April 9, 2008, when police searched his home looking for his adult son, who was on probation for drug charges,


text: Burleigh County States Attorney Cynthia Feland confirmed, "He is being charged with possession of salvia with intent to deliver".


text: Rau suggested that this is a long used drug prosecutors ploy "to make dealers out of everyone," saying of his untreated leaf, "Nobody wants leaves. Everyone is buying those 10X and 20X and 30X extracts." [...] "I bought eight ounces of leaf on eBay by bidding $32 for it. Now they're charging me with possession with intent." [...] "This is ridiculous since an ounce is clearly the standard saleable unit for [untreated] leaf."


text: Rau's interest in salvia was reported as deriving from a broader interest in herbalism, religion and spirituality. – "I read that salvia facilitates lucid dreaming, so I tried chewing some leaves before bed time, and it was interesting because I would see faces and remember names I had long forgotten." He also tried salvia as a cure for depression. "I have some childhood issues to deal with. They had me on Paxil," he said. "They want you to take their pharmaceuticals, but if you want to take an herbal remedy, they want to throw you in prison. Are they going to save me from myself by throwing me in prison for years?"


text: Rau said his arrest has motivated him. "Maybe this is an opportunity for me to join the fight. I've never been a drug user, never been arrested. I started experimenting with this stuff because, I thought it was legal. I didn't want to get into trouble, but now they're treating me just like some meth dealer." [...] "I've emailed the ACLU Drug Law Reform Project, but I haven't heard back from them yet."


text: The Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCNet) reported that it had contacted Republican lawmakers, state Sens. Dave Oelke and Randel Christmann and state Rep. Brenda Heller, but none of the three legislators responded to requests for comment.


text: Assistant State's Attorney Cynthia Feland said that people contacting the Burleigh County State's Attorney's Office urging them not to continue with the prosecution would not have any effect on the case. "We can't pick and choose what to prosecute," she said.


text: Senator Randy Christmann admitted that he received, and continues to receive, e-mails from people across the country in favor of keeping "Salvia divinorum" legal, but said, "We felt there was no good reason to allow that to continue lawfully, I just feel it's a destructive thing without enough up-side to justify its use."


text: Kenneth Rau questioned why North Dakota needs to prohibit salvia when the federal government has not moved in a similar way, but Christmann reportedly felt that waiting for Washington to act was not in the best interests of North Dakota, saying, "I'm not one who usually relies too much on what the federal government tells me to do."


text: In April 2009, it was reported that Rau had been given a deferred sentence in relation to his salvia charge. He had pleaded guilty to the charge of Class C felony possession of salvia, Class A misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana at the Burleigh County Courthouse. South Central District Judge Tom Schneider imposed a three-year deferred imposition of sentence for the salvia and drug paraphernalia charges and a two-year deferred imposition of sentence for the marijuana charge. Rau will be on supervised probation for three years, and the charges will be removed from his record if he successfully completes his time on supervision.


text: Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Cynthia Feland recommended a deferred sentence on the salvia charge saying that Rau had no recent criminal history, no history of prior drug use and bought the salvia over the Internet before its illegal status in North Dakota was widely known. Judge Schneider ordered Rau to complete a chemical dependency evaluation and any recommended treatment and pay $575 in court fees.


text: After the hearing, Rau said he was not surprised at the type of sentence he got. "It's kind of what I expected," he said. "I didn't think I would get any better from a jury trial."


text: In May 2007, Representative Thom Collier (R) proposed House Bill 215 seeking to make "Salvia divinorum" a Schedule I drug in the state of Ohio. The bill passed unanimously (95–0) on April 16, 2008. The bill moved to the Senate, and passed unanimously (33–0) on December 16, 2008. The bill now moves to conference committee, and then to the governor.


text: On January 6, 2009, Gov. Ted Strickland signed a law which added "Salvia divinorum" to the Ohio controlled substances act. The law took effect 90 days from the day of the signature. "Salvia divinorum" is now a schedule I substance along with marijuana.


text: Representative's John Nance (R) bill HB 2485 was passed into law in the State of Oklahoma on the May 26, 2006. The wording of the bill—"Salvia divinorum" [that] "has been enhanced, concentrated or chemically or physically altered" — means that its particular focus was on high-strength extracts, rather than untreated natural strength "Salvia divinorum" leaf or plants.


text: In 2008, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBNDD) was reported as working with Representative David Derby (R-Owasso), and Senator Jonathan Nichols (R-Norman), to enact House Bill 3148. Governor Brad Henry signed the measure into law June 2, 2008. The law comes into effect November 1, 2008 and classifies "all" forms of "Salvia divinorum" as Schedule I substances in Oklahoma. After that date, possession of "Salvia divinorum" will be a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and distribution carries a penalty of 5 years to life in prison. Daniel Siebert described the penalties as draconian. OBNDD Director R. Darrell Weaver was reported as saying, "There is nothing good that comes from salvia and we will fight tirelessly to control such unwanted substances in Oklahoma."


text: During the year 2003, two bills were proposed to criminalize "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A. Both bills died upon adjournment of the Oregon Judiciary Committee. House Bill 3485 (introduced March 15, 2003) sought to impose particularly severe penalties. If it had passed, possession would have been punishable by a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a $200,000 fine, or both. Delivery would have been punishable by a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, a $300,000 fine, or both. Senate Bill 592 only proposed to make delivery a crime. If it had passed, delivery would have been punishable by a maximum of one year's imprisonment, a $5,000 fine, or both.


text: Efforts to ban "Salvia divinorum" were renewed on January 25, 2007. Representative John Lim (R) introduced House Bill 2494 to the Oregon State Legislature. If passed, this legislation would have made "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A Schedule I controlled substances in that state. Possession would be punishable by a maximum of 1 year's imprisonment, a $6250 fine, or both. Manufacture or delivery would be punishable by a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, a $375,000 fine, or both.


text: Rep. John Lim has been quoted as saying—"From what I understand this drug is at least as dangerous as marijuana or LSD", and Seth Hatmaker, a spokesman for Lim—"I think it's only a matter of time before we find people addicted to this stuff". There is little or no research evidence to support these views. In fact, the scientific consensus is mostly to the contrary. "Salvia divinorum" is not generally understood to be addictive.


text: The Pennsylvania General Assembly website indicates three salvia-related bills in the 2007–2008 Regular Session. These are Senate bill 710 (P.N. 781), House Bill 1379 (P.N 1951) and House Bill 1379 (P.N. 1726). The different bills were introduced by different bill sponsors, but all proposed adding "Salvia divinorum" to Pennsylvania's Schedule I listing of controlled substances. House Bill No. 1547 also listed salvinorin A and divinorin A (salvinorin A is also known as divinorin A). Their last actions were recorded as: Referred to Judiciary, March 29, 2007 for Senate Bill 710; Referred to Judiciary, May 29, 2007 House Bill 1379; and, Referred to Judiciary, June 18, 2007 for House Bill 1547. House Bill 559, referred to judiciary on February 23, 2009, adding Salvia divinorum to the State's Schedule I Controlled Substances list, including its isomers. Salvinorin A is specifically banned by the act if derived from "Salvia divinorum". A compound based on the molecular structure of salvinorin A is banned as an isomer. On September 29, 2010, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed an amended version of H.B. 176, which would place "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A under Schedule I of the PA Controlled Substance Act. HB 176 was referred to the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee on October 12, 2010. It was not voted on before the 2009–2010 session ended. There may be efforts to introduce the bill during the next session. Such a ban on "Salvia divinorum" might infringe on the religious rights protected by the Pennsylvania Constitution. On June 16, 2011, The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1006 which bans several drugs including "Salvia divinorum", salvinorin A, and divinorin A, and presented the bill to the governor, who signed it on June 23, 2011.


text: On February 13, 2008, Representative Chip Huggins (R) introduced House Bill 4687 to the South Carolina State Legislature. If enacted, this legislation would make "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorin A Schedule I controlled substances in that state. On April 10, 2008, the bill passed in the House (ayes: 101, nays: 4). The bill later died with the dissolution of the 2007–2008 legislative session.


text: In February 2009, representatives voted was 67–2 in favour of House Bill 1090 which proposed adding "Salvia divinorum" to South Dakota's controlled substances list. "I'd like to have the drug off the street by the end of February," said Rep. Chuck Turbiville (R-Deadwood), the bill's prime sponsor.


text: Rep. Larry Lucas (D-Mission), amended the bill to give judges more discretion in sentencing. The Lucas amendment made possession of less than 2 ounces a misdemeanor, while 2 ounces or more would be a felony. Rep. Lance Russell (R-Hot Springs), said the Lucas amendment would penalize only for possession and wouldn't provide any penalty for distribution. Rep. Rich Engels (D-Hartford) said that flaw can be further addressed when the Senate next considers the bill.


text: In March 2009, it was reported that the South Dakota Legislature had given final approval, with the House voting 61–7 to accept changes the Senate had made in the bill. The bill went into effect immediately after it was signed by Gov. Michael Rounds (R) on March 11, as the bill had declared an "emergency" regarding salvia's use.


text: Tennessee has passed a law (SB3247/HB2909/TCA 39-17-452) that makes knowingly possessing, producing, manufacturing, distributing, or possessing with intent to produce, manufacture, or distribute the active chemical ingredient in the hallucinogenic plant "Salvia divinorum" a Class A misdemeanor. The law was to originally make it a felony, but it was amended. The Senate Bill was sponsored by Senator Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville). It was signed into law on May 19, 2006, and went into effect on July 1, 2006. Tim Burchett stated, "We have enough problems with illegal drugs as it is without people promoting getting high from some glorified weed that's been brought up from Mexico. The only people I’ve heard from who are opposed to making it illegal are those who are getting stoned on it."


text: Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-438 states that it is a Class D felony to possess Salvia divinorum for a first violation.


text: On March 3, 2007, Representative Charles "Doc" Anderson (R-Waco) filed House Bill 2347 which proposed the addition of salvinorin A and "Salvia divinorum" to Penalty Group 2 of the Texas Controlled Substances Act. On March 28, 2007, the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence held a video recorded public hearing, 56 minutes 30 seconds into which HB2347 was raised.


text: Also in that month, on March 9, 2007, House Bill 3784, was introduced by Representative Tan Parker (R). That bill sought to add salvinorin A and "Salvia divinorum" to Penalty Group 3 of the Texas Controlled Substances Act.


text: Concurrently to Representative Anderson's proposed House bill, and on the same day as Representative Parker's House bill, Senator Craig Estes (R) filed Senate Bill 1796 on March 9, 2007. In contrast to the more restrictive House bills, the Senate bill simply proposed an age restriction—prohibiting the sale of "Salvia divinorum" to persons younger than 18 years of age.


text: Both House bills failed to make it out of committee. None of the bills were passed into law before the legislative session ended, although SB1796 bill did pass in the Senate by a voice vote of 31–0.


text: Representative Anderson resubmitted his proposal as House Bill 126 on November 10, 2008. He was quoted in the Waco Tribune-Herald as saying, "This substance is dangerous, incapacitating and serves no medical use whatsoever", and "If somebody is getting behind the wheel of a car or other situations where they could injure people, we need to make folks aware of it and start to control the access."


text: As happened previously in 2007, concurrently to Representative Anderson's re-proposed House bill, Senator Craig Estes filed Senate Bill 257, also on November 10, 2008. And once again, in contrast to the more restrictive House bill, the Senate bill simply proposed an age restriction—prohibiting the sale of "Salvia divinorum" to persons younger than 18 years of age. House Bill 470 of the 82nd Legislative Session sought to place "Salvia divinorum" on the list of Penalty Group 3 substances. However, the bill failed to make it out of the Senate Committee.


text: HB 124 was signed into law on June 14, 2013, and effective September 1, 2013, "Salvia divinorum" is prohibited as a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance under the Texas Controlled Substances Act.


text: KSL's Utah news channel broadcast a story on November 27, 2006, warning its viewers about what it called "this dangerous herb". The next day, on November 28, 2006, the same channel reported House Representative Paul Ray's "immediate response" with proposed legislation to ban "Salvia divinorum" in the State of Utah, quoting him as saying, – "It was upsetting to see we have a drug of that strength that's legal." and "We're basically going to make it illegal to possess or sell. Period." Ray's bill (HB190) proposed Schedule I classification.


text: On December 12, 2006, KSL editorial director Duane Cardall published a stance against "Salvia divinorum" on behalf of the news station as a whole. Cardall's piece closes: "In KSL's view, the legislature should take action to control the sale of "Salvia divinorum" before the illicit use of the accessible hallucinogen spreads. That wasn't done in a timely way with Meth, and now we have a devastating epidemic. Preemptive action now with 'Sally D' would likely spare countless families the horror of losing a loved one to the relentless tentacles of drug abuse."


text: KSL news stories and editorials generally support on-line comments from its registered readers. In this case, feedback was overwhelmingly in disagreement with the editorial line.


text: The House Representatives voted unanimously in favor of the bill however. On February 22, 2007, the bill status was 'House/ passed 3rd reading' (Yeas – 68, Nays – 0). But the bill did not get enacted during its legislative session and was instead sent to the House file for defeated bills on February 28, 2007.


text: The bill was scheduled to be re-introduced by Representative Paul Ray in a Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee meeting scheduled for September 19, 2007. On October 17, 2007, the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper reported that the proposal had been set aside. Representative Ray said that federal regulators had alerted him that they were close to reaching their own classification for "Salvia divinorum". Nonetheless, Ray re-filed the proposed legislation on January 9, 2008, for consideration in the general legislative session. The 2008 bill was filed as Utah H.B. 260. This did not get enacted during its legislative session either.


text: In the 2009 Legislative session, Ray proposed the bill for a third time as H.B. 277. In a report supporting the 2009 bill, the local ABC news station described Ray as a former undercover narcotics officer who has been on a one-man crusade for three years at the capitol, trying to raise enough awareness to get his bill passed. "I’ve been trying for three years to make them aware," said Ray, "Most are waiting to see what the federal government is going to do." [...] "We’ll hold committee hearings during the summer and I’ll bring this issue to the table again" [...] "This substance has absolutely no medical use whatsoever. It’s only used to get a cheap high." The news report closed by saying that Ray knew that it may take a while to get the attention of policy makers who spent most of the 2009 session rewriting some of the toughest liquor laws in America.


text: After a first failed attempt to outlaw "Salvia divinorum", Delegate John O'Bannon introduced the bill which ultimately became law, HB21. On January 16, 2008, the "Washington Times" quoted O'Bannon as saying – "It is the opiate equivalent of LSD, and it usually causes bad trips". Other references suggest, however, that, while unpleasant experiences can occur, so called "bad trips" are the exception rather than the rule. The equivalence made with LSD is also inaccurate. "Salvia divinorum" is a selective κ (kappa) opioid receptor agonist. The term opiate incorrectly implies a derivative of opium. Virginians Against Drug Violence opposed the bill on the grounds that banning the drug would increase interest in using it.


text: The bill unanimously passed the house on January 16, 2008, and passed the Virginia State Senate unanimously on February 18, 2008. However, the bill had been slightly altered between the two versions. It originally listed both "Salvia divinorum" and salvinorum A (sic) as additions to Virginia's Schedule I classification. The version passed by the Senate (Yeas – 40, Nays – 0) had corrected the spelling of the active constituent salvinorin A, and did not list the plant "Salvia divinorum". It was signed into Law on March 2, 2008, and the law became effective on July 1, 2008.


text: The news story suggested that the galvanizing incident in the overall movement to ban salvia was the suicide in January 2006 of 17-year-old, Brett Chidester. Kathy Chidester, Brett’s mother, is convinced it was salvia that made her son depressed, and is actively advocating for salvia criminalization. In a phone interview, Delegate O’Bannon said that Mrs. Chidester wrote him a letter to support the proposed salvia ban in Virginia. The interviewing journalist mentioned the seeming lack of connection between Brett's suicide and "Salvia divinorum", to which O'Bannon reportedly snapped – "That’s not what his mother thinks".


text: The report went on to say that according to Laura Bechtel of Virginia's Blue Ridge Poison Center, there had only been eleven calls about salvia in the past four years, only four of which were people who had actually ingested, the other seven being callers just seeking information. This was out of a total of 148,650 calls received by the center during that period. "As far as I know," Bechtel said, "we haven’t had any cases that needed medical attention."


text: On Wednesday, March 3, 2010, Governor Doyle signed 2009 Wisconsin Act 141 into law, making Wisconsin the 19th state to regulate the sale of "Salvia divinorum". The law states that retailers who distribute salvinorin A to minors with the intent that it be consumed can be fined up to $10,000.


text: On February 15, 2007, the day after a Fox TV local news story on salvia had aired in Milwaukee, Wisconsin state lawmaker Sheldon Wasserman, also a licensed physician, spoke to Fox news in a follow-up report about his plans to introduce legislation to make salvinorin a Schedule I controlled substance. In the interview, he said – "it came to me as a complete... something totally new... I was kinda shocked" and went on to claim – "there is no medical purpose for this product, it is completely for getting high, getting stoned, and it is something that should not be out there and available".


text: On June 18, 2007, the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper ran a front page headline cover story about salvia, reporting that Representative Wasserman had recently begun seeking sponsors for a bill that would ban the manufacture and sale of "Salvia divinorum" for consumption in Wisconsin, with a penalty of up to $10,000. Wasserman was reported as saying – "This bill is all about protecting our children", and "I want to stop the "Salvia divinorum" dealers who are pushing young people to experiment with a potentially dangerous substance."