Salvia Divinorum

Yesterday morning I saw a report on the news speaking of the dangers of Salvia divinorum. But what is Salvia and why ban it?
Salvia is a member of sage genus of plants. When smoked it produces effects such as;
-Perceptions of bright lights and vivid colors
-Object distortions
-Loss of coordination
-Dizziness
-Hallucinations
-Slurred speech
The effects last between 10-20 minutes, and afterwards normal awareness returns. Differing studies suggest no overall consensus so far with regard to the long-term effects of Salvia on mood but feelings of anxiety have been reported. Salvia is found in the Oaxaca, Mexico and has traditionally been used by the Mazatec shamens to facilitate spiritual healing rituals. The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to “sage of the seers”.
Until the 21st Century, Salvia was legal in all 50 states. According to the NSDUH Report of February 14th, 2008, in 2006 an estimated 1.8 million people 12 and over have used Salvia in their lifetime. That's less than 1% of the U.S. population. So how is it that this Hallucinogen has for hundreds of years of American history ,and 40 years of a U.S. "War on Drugs", remained legal and barely know to the general public?
That's very simple, because, until about 2005, no one was trying to make it illegal!
In May of 2006, Delaware statute SB259 also known as "Brett's Law" was passed. Delaware was the third state to ban Salvia (Louisiana and Missouri were first and second to outlaw Salvia).
This law was written in response to suicide death of Brett Chidester, a 17 year old who's parents blame his depression, and ultimately his suicide, on his abuse of Salvia (no traces of the Salvia were found in Brett Chidester's system during his autopsy).
Brett's Law has lead to the beginnings of a political Domino Effect. Soon after this incident in Delaware, News stations all over the country started speaking about this "new drug craze" spreading thru America's youth. But, What drug craze is the media talking about? By 2006, Less Than 1% of the U.S. population has ever used Salvia. Before 2005, Salvia Divinorum was almost completely un-searched for on Internet search engines. Most people have never even heard about Salvia!!! If anything, The media is providing Salvia with free advertising by inadvertently introducing Salvia to people who would have never heared of it otherwise.
It is because of media headlines, such as "Magic mint’ triggers cosmic, and legal, high", "Is Salvia the Next Marijuana?" and "Hallucinogenic Herb Called Salvia Could Be the 'New Marijuana,' and Florida Lawmakers Might Ban It", from News organizations trying to speak about the dangers of Salvia that has caused this "new drug craze" to exist in the first place. Is it any wonder that teens want to try this drug, especially when it is referred to, by media, as "Pot-Like", "The Next Marijuana" and "Legal!".
Unfortunately, a moral panic created by media, has forced lawmakers to answer the cries of misinformed and hysterical parents, who watch the news, and institute bans on Salvia in their respective states (It is baned in 10 States now, and over a dozen have pending legislation).
A lot of media hype and government intervention is only the answer, if the question is "How can we make this situation worse?" Besides the one, faux instance is Delaware, no deaths have ever been linked to Salvia. Does any of this sound familiar? For decades now, the government has taken a position of fear-based prohibition on substances (including plants!) which make people act a little weird. The result? Billions of dollars thrown away persecuting people for growing, selling or using these substances with no (many would argue negative) effect on the overall welfare of our country.