Natural hallucinogenic sage may be banned

JUNEAU, Alaska, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Alaska is one of 12 U.S. states considering making salvia, a potent natural hallucinogen which is a species of sage, illegal.

The hallucinogenic salvia divinorum is not banned by the federal Controlled Substances Act and is only illegal in six states, The Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News reported Saturday.

Republican state Sen. Gene Therriault, who said the substance's effects are dangerously powerful and similar to LSD, has been the heading the charge to ban it in Alaska

A user said the drug made her and her boyfriend "melt to the wall," the newspaper said.

"The jury's still out because there's not been a lot of study. But whenever there's uncertainty with a substance of this potency, there's a need to prevent injuries," said Therriault's legislative aide, Dave Stancliff.