Yes: it is important to be a spokesperson for Salvia when you hear mis-information being passed around as fact.
I have been very active as a Salvia divinorum advocate: even going so far as to go on record publicly as opposing the original text of AB259 (I was one of the 7 private citizens listed as opposition to AB259 as it was originally written).
I sent very nice Certified letters to each member of the committee last year when they first proposed Salvia divinorum to be a felony here in California. Read it here: http://members.cox.net/sageseeds/sentab259.pdf
The original text of AB259 was:
BILL NUMBER: AB 259 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Adams
FEBRUARY 5, 2007
An act to amend Section 11054 of the Health and Safety Code,
relating to controlled substances.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 259, as introduced, Adams. Controlled substances: Schedule I.
Existing law lists various controlled hallucinogenic substances in
Schedule I.
This bill would add Salvia Divinorum to that list.
Because this bill would expand the definition of existing crimes,
it would create a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 11054 of the Health and Safety Code is amended
to read:
and then a long list of illegal dope: with Salvia divinorum added to the hallucinogens section as a schedule one felony.
I sent another nice certified letter to them all: http://members.cox.net/sageseeds/ab259.html
Apparently Assemblyman Adams took the time to read the objections all of us collectively voiced. Just before the bill was to be reheard he changed the Text of AB259.
Monday the 7th of Jan 2008: AB259 had it's wording changed!
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0251-0300/ab_259_bill_20080107_amended_asm_v97.html
"LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST:
AB 259, as amended, Adams.
Under existing law, the sale or distribution of specified
intoxicating substances is a crime, punishable by imprisonment or a
fine.
This bill would make the sale or distribution of Salvia divinorum
or Salvinorin A, or any substance or material containing Salvia
divinorum or Salvinorin A, to any person under 18 years of age a
misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more
than 6 months, by a fine of no more than $1,000, or both.
Because this bill would create a new crime , it would impose a
state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 379 is added to the
Penal Code , to read:
379. Every person who sells, dispenses, distributes, furnishes,
administers, gives, or offers to sell, dispense, distribute, furnish,
administer, or give Salvia divinorum or Salvinorin A, or any
substance or material containing Salvia divinorum or Salvinorin A, to
any person who is less than 18 years of age, is guilty of a
misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding
six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars
($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act
pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local
agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a
new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or
changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of
Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a
crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the
California Constitution. "
And it passed Committee vote 7 to 0! Section 379 is to be heard by the next committee on the 24th ...
Who says Salvia advocacy doesn't work? I've helped a LOT of people get over their initial fear and "Get to know her".
Long may she Live!