http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=2008s0340.ja.doc&DocumentType=Analysis&BillNumber=0340&Session=2008A substance considered for scheduling in Schedule I must meet these criteria: (1) the substance has a high
potential for abuse; (2) the substance does not have an accepted medical use in treatment in the
United States; (3) and in its use under medical supervision the substance does not meet accepted
safety standards.
So there are three criteria, and here is how they justified them.
(1) The potential for abuse is serious or high because a designation of low potential for abuse would suggest that these substances are being taken on the basis of professional medical advice, which is not the case.
(2) They have no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
(3) Finally, since there is no accepted medical use, it logically follows that these substances cannot
be used under medical supervision that meets accepted safety standards.
For
(1), that say that is actually one of the definitions of "potential for abuse": taken on the user’s own initiative rather than on the basis of professional medical advice.
It seems that they will add Salvia to Schedule I, but will allow any salvia-derived drugs approved by the FDA. Also, they cite another law that allows medical research with salvia. Which is weird, because if there are FDA drugs, wouldn't that mean there is an accepted medical use? But currently, there are none.
Also, it seems to me lots of (legal) herbs and other things would fall under that (1) (2) and (3), unless there is more to it!
By the way, I know nothing about law, this is just what I gathered from reading this.

Damn, these people are scumbags. But honestly, I can't argue with their logic, even though it's based on crap assumptions.

They can probably justify making anything they want illegal just like this...
Sea Mac, I don't know. I guess people could have gone and protested... I didn't, though. I'm honestly not sure I would be very convincing. I don't know what to say. These people just won't agree with me; they are probably against hallucinogenic drugs in principle...
Salvia = hallucinations = LSD, shrooms, ... = Schedule I = BAN!

I just don't think there's a realistic chance I, or anyone, could change their minds. And we can't use the medical research argument, because they specifically cited a law that allowed that...