Illinois to ban Salvia divinorum

Yet again nature is to be declared illegitimate as another sacred plant ally, Salvia divinorum, is poised to be lost due to the misguided efforts of lawmakers in the state of Illinois. An amendment to declare Salvia divinorum a schedule 1 controlled substance, has made its way through both the house and senate, and it's just a matter of a signature from the governor to add Illinois to the the roster of states that have imposed draconian measures against this misunderstood plant entheogen.

We aren't certain exactly how the lawmakers have come to view Salvia as a material of such public danger and potential abuse. It seems most have signed onto the bill simply because such reflexive "war on drugs" rhetoric is the easy choice. Few have ventured to ask the difficult questions of how and why such sacramental, visionary compounds can be integrated into a healthy society. Such territory remains verboten, and this complete lack of insight and courage are appalling and disgraceful.

We're deeply saddened by this news. Having cultivated this marvelous plant for over 15 years, the loss is almost unimaginable. We are heartened though, that during this time we were able to propagate and disseminate thousands of clones, which will happily resides in homes throughout the states. Despite efforts of lawmakers, Salvia divinorum will live on, just as nature's intended.

Comments

[Eoghan]

The great Prairie State is once again made safer from the dangers of alternate realities and plant intelligence. Won't you sleep a little safer?

I am saddened to hear of this, but such things don't surprise me anymore. In a way, it should be expected. Whenever a plant ally becomes known beyond a limited community this is the risk it runs. Sad, but true.

[Eric M]

Wow!! I guess I had better order my cactus clones now before they become illegal too.

[Chuck]

A sad day indeed. I just wish that one or two open minded intelligent people would make their way into politics. If there is any plant ally with less potential for abuse, I have not seen it. I do know a number of people who have tried Salvia, but almost all gave her up after the first time or two. It is simply not the party drug/hallucinogenic menace that the media has made her out to be. I have seen several news reports demonizing the plant over the last few years, and can tell that the reporters doing the story honestly had no idea what they were talking about. If the media would do a little research before they produce stories to scare the general public away from these sacred plants the world would be a better place. It just makes me shake my head and wonder what our society has become where such an important plant has become a pariah.

[Eric M]

Well most of the "law makers" in this country are stupid, fat, white old men. Do you really expect them to condone any thing that they can't extract their cut of the money from? This is why so many plants are illeagal in the world. How can something that grows and thrives according to it's own rules be forced to make money for some fat ass piece of s**t politician?

[Eoghan]

I think it goes beyond not being interested in anything they can't profit from. Above all, they are afraid of the opening of mind and the imminence of spirit.

[Alex POllara]

SO how many people have died of Salvia overdose? anyone anywhere? ladies and gents I give you your taxes at work

[Tino]

As much as I agree with the comments already posted above railing against the "powers that be" we must also share some of the responbilty. The reality is that much of the damage done to Salvia's reputation was done by unscrupulous purveyors of the ethneogen. For every Basement Shaman, thoughtfully seeking to enlighten while assisting the plant ally to propogate and dessiminate its knowledge, there are multiple "Wal Shamans" misrepresenting the properties for shortsighted quick financial gain. The marketing of Salvia, in "herbal -xtc" formulas etc., was the single largest contributing factor to its garnering such a negative reputation. These pornographers of plants systematically exploit and mislead, marketing to the young and stupid. However, we all share some of the blame, as these exploiters only exist because there are consumers who buy from them. The lesson to be learned is to know your purveyor and support only those purveyors who display the highest ethical standards. There are some realms of consumption where price should not be a factor. Vote with your dollars and when ever possible throw as much of your business of any kind to the good guys.

[Allie]

Ya'll talk about integrating entheogens into a healthy society. Why do you assume our society is healthy? Perhaps we as a culture are just barely wise enough to realize that we can't handle it. If we were healthy, we wouldn't be so threatened by other people choosing different paths, including alternate ways of perceiving consensual reality. Restrictive laws sadden me, and yet the majority of people act as if they're very insecure and seem to endorse this kind of lawmaking. *sigh* I feel my civil rights eroding . . .

[spinzaar]

What saddens me the most is how most likely every other state will jump on the band wagon. All i can think is that law makers think its their job to "MAKE" laws. Laws that only effect a minority of people seem to be the most popular these days. The true answer is to lower the pay these people receive. How can we be safe when its cash in hand to make stupid laws.

[thecountrygoddess]

Subject: Save Salvia in Illinois
Everyone, time to unite. Illinois Governor has the power to line veto anything on a bill, which might just save Salvia. If you go to my website at: https://www.thecountrygoddessshop.com/displayProductDocument.hg?productId=3141 you will see where you can email the Governor and save salvia. I have provided everything, what to email him, the bill number and the line number for salvia. Help me save it. Losing it will not only mean loosing salvia and a loss to the medical, spirtual and shaman community but will mean many jobs lost in Illinois, businesses closing and lost tax revenue. Please help save Salvia.

Please help us save Salvia, Send this email to as many of your friends and customers as you can and ask them to do the same.

[aries]

This business of banning plants is very sad. My heart sinks every time I hear about something like this. I don't understand why people don't understand that everything comes from plants, even the perscription med's people take every day. If these plants are lost, future medical treatments are lost and culture is lost. People need to wake up and realize the damage they are doing by jumping on the "BAN-Wagon".

[Eoghan]

Well, it would appear that we will soon see a real push to outlaw Salvia evrywhere in the US. Here's a video up on CNN today:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2007/07/16/costello.salvia.drug.affl

Eoghan

[Miaow]

Truly sad. I think it's insane our country bans *plants*: beautiful, living things, gifts from Nature/God/whatever you believe. Salvia for me, has been such a gentle substance. It's such a beautiful plant, such a beautiful green. I have not used it very much: it is not addictive. I'd say it occasionally "calls" me to experience it. On a related topic, I remember also how saddened I was when GHB was outlawed. It was the first time I ever actually wrote to our legislators, to no avail. GHB helped me control my OCD, by lessening severe symptoms, and removing self-destructive tendancies. fortunately, I finally was prescribed a pharmacuetical cocktail that just about completely eliminated all of my severe, life destroying aspects of OCD, and allowed me to come to terms with this "illness" that is an integral part of my personality. I accept it now, and can have actually learned to use this OCD-ish way my brain works for personal benefit. Of course, it took 16 years to come to terms with OCD. I'm rambling, but I guess my point is to all those who have OCD: please keep going on - life gets better. OCD is not only a "disability": you can come to terms with it and harness it so that it becomes a "superpower".

[Miaow]

Truly sad. I think it's insane our country bans *plants*: beautiful, living things, gifts from Nature/God/whatever you believe. Salvia for me, has been such a gentle substance. It's such a beautiful plant, such a beautiful green. I have not used it very much: it is not addictive. I'd say it occasionally "calls" me to experience it. On a related topic, I remember also how saddened I was when GHB was outlawed. It was the first time I ever actually wrote to our legislators, to no avail. GHB helped me control my OCD, by lessening severe symptoms, and removing self-destructive tendancies. fortunately, I finally was prescribed a pharmacuetical cocktail that just about completely eliminated all of my severe, life destroying aspects of OCD, and allowed me to come to terms with this "illness" that is an integral part of my personality. I accept it now, and can have actually learned to use this OCD-ish way my brain works for personal benefit. Of course, it took 16 years to come to terms with OCD. I'm rambling, but I guess my point is to all those who have OCD: please keep going on - life gets better. OCD is not only a "disability": you can come to terms with it and harness it so that it becomes a "superpower".

[Miaow]

Truly sad. I think it's insane our country bans *plants*: beautiful, living things, gifts from Nature/God/whatever you believe. Salvia for me, has been such a gentle substance. It's such a beautiful plant, such a beautiful green. I have not used it very much: it is not addictive. I'd say it occasionally "calls" me to experience it. On a related topic, I remember also how saddened I was when GHB was outlawed. It was the first time I ever actually wrote to our legislators, to no avail. GHB helped me control my OCD, by lessening severe symptoms, and removing self-destructive tendancies. fortunately, I finally was prescribed a pharmacuetical cocktail that just about completely eliminated all of my severe, life destroying aspects of OCD, and allowed me to come to terms with this "illness" that is an integral part of my personality. I accept it now, and can have actually learned to use this OCD-ish way my brain works for personal benefit. Of course, it took 16 years to come to terms with OCD. I'm rambling, but I guess my point is to all those who have OCD: please keep going on - life gets better. OCD is not only a "disability": you can come to terms with it and harness it so that it becomes a "superpower".

[jenni]

Just look at the creep who's fault this is. Fat white fucking bigot. Burn in hell Milner! Nobody really cares about salvia. Now innocent kids are going to be thrown into jail and have their futures ruined because of this fuckhole. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2589&GAID=8&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=23512&SessionID=50&GA=94 Click on Milner

[David]

It's a sad day when such a beautiful plant is banned from anywhere

Open Minds Lead to Open Doors.

[Forrest]

The reason they banned it is because a guy from Delaware committed suicide afterwards, because he thought he knew the truth to life after doing this herb.

[Larry]

No, that kid in Delaware was drunk and on accutane, and his parents were divorced. There was no trace of salvia in his body according to the autopsy results, yet the medical examiner went back and put salvia as a cause of death anyway. When will we take a stand? Our ancestors got pissed off by a two pence tax and formed a nation; here we sit in Bush land with the Patriot (sic) Act.

[Matt]

Stop posting videos of people on salvia. The people who do this are going to ruin it for everyone, not just the people in illinois.

Go to www.oaxacansalvia.com you get salvia divinorum shipped from puebla, méxico. Email for custom extracts, find a cheaper price and send the link, this site will beat it.