Pubdate: Wed, 27 Dec 2006 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2006 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Trevor Suffield HALLUCINOGEN CAN BE HAD BY ASKING Salvia Divinorum Available In Winnipeg, Produces Short, Powerful Hallucination In order to buy a mind-altering substance in Winnipeg, all you need is identification. The hallucinogen, Salvia divinorum, is currently being sold in some stores and police are unable to stop it. "We are very aware that it is here, but can't prevent the use as it is not illegal. There are only a few stores in Winnipeg that sell the product and they assure us that they only sell to people over 18 years of age," said Winnipeg police spokeswoman Marnie Minkus. Also known as magic mint or diviner's sage, salvia is legal to possess, distribute and consume in most places in the world and can be bought over the Internet or in hemp stores. In Canada, salvia is not regulated under Health Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, but it is banned in Australia. Several American states are considering a ban. Salvia has been used for hundreds of years by the Mazatec indigenous people of Mexico for spiritual experiences and it is usually chewed or smoked. It gives users a short but powerful hallucination, lasting anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. There has been little research into the long-term effects of this drug, but according to Health Canada, the short-term effects can include unconsciousness and short-term memory loss. Health Canada is not aware of people becoming dependent on the drug. Salvia has been likened to mescaline, or peyote. When under the influence of such drugs, a person will see, hear, and feel things that aren't really there. It has also been described as a "Lego" dream with lots of squares and blocks. Heidi Graham, spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, is not aware of any incidents involving salvia at its facilities. Stores like Kustom Kulture, despite an influx of requests for salvia, refuse to carry it because of potential legal issues down the road. A Portage Avenue store carries it, but a clerk said the owner was not available and would not offer a comment about its sale. RCMP Sgt. Steve Saunders said police have received a number of inquiries about salvia, but from an educational perspective only. He is not aware of salvia being sold in retail outlets anywhere in the RCMP's rural Manitoba jurisdiction. Despite salvia becoming more available, there appears to be no rush to regulate it or make it illegal. Zenon Lisakowski, prevention and education consultant for the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, said occasionally a few kids will come in seeking help, but there is "no upswing in usage." Lisakowski said this isn't the biggest drug problem in the province. "I would like to see more effort into more important drugs that hurt and harm, like alcohol."