Salvia: Legality
Salvia divinorum is a member of the sage family which has been harvested and used as a means of divination, shamanism, and medicinal purposes for centuries by the Mazatec Indian tribe, who also refer to it as “Herb of Mary” and “Shepherdess.” (1) Salvia produces intense hallucinations similar to LSD, noting the intensity of “trips” it produces to be the most intense of all hallucinogens. Active psychoactive ingredients in S. divinorum may also be extracted, concentrated, and sold as a concentrate or mixed with or sprayed onto plant material. S. divinorum‘s pharmacological effects are similar to other hallucinogens regulated under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), such as dimethyltryptamine and ketamine. (2) It stands to reason why its legality has been challenged by both the United States and other countries worldwide. Even though salvia proves to be non-addictive, non-habit forming, and does not present a danger to public health or safety it is still an extremely powerful herb that alters consciousness. For that reason alone, it should have some limitations on sales, especially to minors.
In 2002 representative Joe Bacca (D-Ca) introduced Congress Bill HR5607, which would ban salvia on the national level in all states. The bill failed to pass; however, several individual states took the liberty of banning it themselves. 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 although 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. (3)
The following overview is current as of October 2016 and displays the legal status around the globe. It is important to remember that each state has the power to impose laws governing individual cities; which may or may not differ from the state law. It is always wise before purchasing, selling, or consuming salvia divinorum or salvorin A to check the legislature in your city and state to ensure the legality.
List of Countries imposing restrictions on Salvia Divinorum and Salvorin A:
- Australia- Banned June 1, 2002
- Belgium- Added to the list of “Illegal Products” May 2006
- Canada- August 12, 2015 Salvia divinorum and Salvorin A were added to the list of controlled substances with a Schedule IV classification(9)
- Denmark- Banned Salvia August 23, 2003
- Estonia- April 2005 salvia divinorum was listed as a medicinal herb which requires a physician’s prescription to obtain
- Finland- August 2002 salvia requires a physician prescription as well
- Italy- January 1, 2005 Salvia divinorum was made illegal
- Japan- Salvia divinorum and Salvinorum A are both listed as one of 33 controlled substances banned as of April 2007
- New Zealand- Illegal under the “Psychoactive Substances Act of 2014”
- Norway-In 2002, the National Health Council of Norway states Salvia Divinorum requires a prescription by an authorized physician to obtain
- Poland-As of May 2009, the sale, possession and consumption are illegal
- Spain- January 28, 2004 banned
- South Korea-As of January 2005 both Salvia divinorum and Salvorin A were added to the list of controlled substances
- Sweden- Banned April 1, 2002
- Ukraine- Banned since 2010
- United Kingdom- May 26, 2016 Salvia divinorum and Salvorin A was made illegal under the “Psychoactive substance Bill” (4)
- United States- The number of states prohibiting salvia divinorum and salvorin A is constantly increasing. Once prohibited, the sale and possession of either may be punishable by a prison sentence of 5 years. (5)
List of Countries/States where Salvia Divinorum and Salvorin A remain legal:
- California- restricts sales and consumption to minors under the age of 18
- Maine- sales and consumption to minors under the age of 18 are prohibited
- Brazil- remains legal
- France- remains completely legal with no limitations to minors (2)
· State | Bill Reference | Proposed Date | Class | Status | Proposer | Salvinorin A Included? | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alabama |
|
|
Schedule I |
|
|
|
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Alaska |
|
|
Schedule IIA |
|
Sen. Gene Therriault |
Yes |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arizona
|
HB2520
HB2687 |
5-Feb-2010
10-Feb-2010 |
Class II Misdemeanor |
Not passed/ died in committee
Passed 24-Mar-2010 |
Eric Meyer (D), et |
No |
Prohibits sales to minors |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arkansas |
SB423 |
2011-Mar |
Schedule I |
Passed |
N/A |
Yes |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California |
AB259 |
05-Feb-2007 |
Sales prohibited to minors |
Passed 22-Jul-2008 |
Assembly Member Anthony Adams |
No, then Yes |
Proposed bill wording amended from original Schedule I prohibition to only prohibit sale to minors instead. – Passed. Came into effect on 01-Jan-2009. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colorado |
11-134 |
02-Jun-2011 |
Class II Misdemeanor
|
Passed | Colorado State Senate |
Yes
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Connecticut |
SB1098 |
2011-Jan |
To be scheduled |
Passed
6-Jul-2011 |
Many legislators, including Senator Boucher |
Yes |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Delaware |
SB259
|
16-Mar-2006 |
Schedule I |
Passed 02-May-2006 |
Sen. Karen Peterson |
No |
Aka “Brett’s Law” |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida |
SB340
SB1612
HB1363 |
20-Feb-2008 |
Schedule I | Passed –
29-May-2008 |
Sen. Evelyn J. Lynn & Rep. Mary Brandenburg |
Yes |
Possession felony for up to 5 years in prison. Effective July 1, 2008(6)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia |
SB295
HB1021 |
1-Mar-2007
28-Jan-2010 |
Misdemeanor to possess
Considered “Dangerous Drug”
|
Died in committee
Passed 14-April-2010 |
John Bulloch (R)
Rep. John Lunsford &Tom Weldon |
No
Yes |
Adds “Salvia divinorum A” to list of dangerous drugs. Prohibits “possession, planting, cultivation, growing, or harvesting of Salvia divinorum A2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hawaii |
2745 SD2 |
2010-Mar |
Schedule I |
Passed |
Gov. Linda Lingle |
Yes
|
Deemed a Controlled Substance as mandated by Section 329-11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Illinois |
SB2589 |
19-Jan-2006 |
Schedule I |
Not passed / sine die | Sen. John J. Millner |
No |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indiana |
HB457 & SB57 |
26-Jan-2007
05-Jan-2011 |
Class A misdemeanor |
Passed 18-Aug-2007
Passed 01-July-2011 |
Rep. Dennis M. Reboletti Alting, Charbonneau, Miller |
No
Yes |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Iowa |
HSB133
& SSB1051 |
18-Jan-2007 |
Schedule I |
Passed |
Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy |
Yes |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kansas |
SF510
&
SB481 |
28-Jan-2008 |
Schedule I | Passed
24-April-2008
Passed 29-Jul-2011 |
Gov. Terry Branstad
Sen. Peggy Mast |
Yes
Yes |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kentucky |
SB107 |
26-Jan-2010 |
Schedule I |
Passed 26-Apr-2010 |
Sen. Brandon Smith |
Yes |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana |
HB20
|
25-Feb-2005 |
Schedule I |
Passed 15-Aug-2005 |
Rep. Michael G. Strain |
No |
First State to ban SD |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maine |
LD66 |
2006-Dec |
Sales Prohibited to minors |
Passed 15-May-2007 |
Rep. Chris Barstow |
Not at first, later amended to include
Yes |
Amended – originally proposed ‘Schedule Z’ classification | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maryland |
Bill 08-0032
& Bill 08-0006R |
28-Jan-2009
14-Jan-2009 |
Schedule I |
Council Belinda Conaway,D.
& Senator Richard Colburn |
No |
Outlawed under “Brett’s Law” | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Massachusetts |
HB4434 |
16-May-2007 |
Schedule I Class C |
Rep. Viriato Manuel deMacedo and Rep. Daniel K. Webster |
Yes |
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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michigan |
HB6038 |
16-Apr-2010 |
Schedule I |
Passed 23-June-2010 |
Rep. Rick Jones |
Yes |
The bill was signed into law by Governor Granholm September 30, 2010 and took effect October 1, 2010. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minnesota |
HF2975 & SF2773 |
29-Apr-2010 |
Misdemeanor Schedule I |
Passed 18-May-2010 |
Rep. Morrie Lanning Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) |
The bill was signed by Governor Pawlenty on May 18, 2010, making sale a gross misdemeanor and possession a misdemeanor became effective August 1, 2010. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi |
SB2456 |
2008-Jan |
Schedule I |
Passed 15 Apr-2008 |
Senator Hob Bryan |
No |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Missouri |
HB 165
HB 633 |
5-Jan-2005
23-Feb-2005 |
Schedule I
Schedule I |
|
Rep. Rachael L. Bringer Rep. Scott A. Lipke |
No
Yes |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nebraska |
LB840 |
10-Jan-2008 |
Schedule I |
Not passed / sine die |
Attorney General Jon Bruning & Senator Vickie McDonald |
Yes |
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New Jersey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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New York |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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North Carolina |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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North Dakota |
SB2317 |
15-Jan-2007 |
Schedule I |
Passed 01-Aug-2007 |
Sen. Dave Oehlke, Sen. Randell Christmann et al. | No, then Yes | Bill refers to salvinorin A and “any of the active ingredients” of Salvia divinorum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio |
HB215 |
2007-May |
Schedule I |
Passed
06-Jan-2009 |
Rep. Thom Collier |
Yes
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oklahoma |
|
|
Prohibits only extracts |
|
|
Yes Yes |
|
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Oregon
|
|
|
Schedule I Schedule I |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pennsylvania |
|
|
Schedule I
Schedule I
Schedule I
Schedule I
Schedule I |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rhode Island |
SB1006 2014-H7191 2014-S-2651 |
10-Jun-2014 |
Schedule I Schedule I |
Passed
23-Jun-2011
|
Rep. Arthur J. Corvese
Sen. Frank S. Lombardi |
Yes |
Only extracts are Schedule I; the “unaltered plant” is explicitly exempted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Carolina |
H4687 |
13-Feb-2008 |
Schedule I |
Passed House/
later died |
Rep. Huggins |
Yes |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Dakota |
HB1090 |
20-Jan-2009 |
Class 1 misdemeanor / Class 6 felony |
Passed
11-Mar-2009 |
Rep. Chuck Turbiville |
No |
Possession of less than 2 ounces a misdemeanor, 2 ounces or more a felony | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tennessee |
SB3247
HB2909 |
15-Feb-2006 |
Class A misdemeanor |
Passed 01-Jul-2006
Not passed / died |
Rep. Park M. Strader, Sen. Tim Burchett |
Yes |
Not an offense to possess, plant, cultivate, grow, or
harvest SD for aesthetic, landscaping, or decorative purpose |
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Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Utah |
HB124
HB190
HB260 |
14-Jun-2013
|
Penalty Group 3
Schedule I |
Passed 14-Jun-2013
|
Representative Anderson, Stephenson, Price, and Flynn
Rep. Paul Ray |
No, then Yes
Yes |
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Virginia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation, which contains any quantity of salvinorin A (another name: Divinorin A). – The plant Salvia divinorum was not mentioned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wisconsin |
AB186 |
02-Apr-2009 |
Fine not to exceed $10,000 |
Passed |
Rep. Cullen et al. |
Only |
|
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Wyoming |
|
13-Feb-2006 |
|
|
Rep. Stephen Watt |
|
Salvinorin A is misspelled as “Salvinorum A”. Salvia divinorum is not specifically listed but the plant is covered by the law because it contains salvinorin A, which is specifically listed in the bill(7) |
(8) Disclaimer: This chart provides the most up-to-date statuses of the legality of Salvia; however, before purchasing or consuming in your area, it would be wise to ask around. Legislatures vary inside states, and some cities may impose their own legislature on it. For example, Boston has outlawed the possession and consumption as well as sales in the city,which is stricter than those in the rest of Massachusetts.
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