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Police make Salvia bust despite lack of proposed law

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By Cory Matteson/Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Mar 10, 2008 - 10:46:37 pm CDT

A legislative bill that would make Salvia divinorum an illegal drug in Nebraska has little chance of passage during the last six weeks of the legislative session.

Lincoln Police on Monday made a Salvia bust anyway.

Citing a state statute that prohibits Nebraskans from selling certain compounds that will induce an intoxicated or otherwise mind-altering state, officers executed a search warrant on Exotica, 2441 N. 48th St. The Lincoln store  sells the herb, a cousin of sage, generally smoked to create a short-term hallucinogenic experience.

Exotica owner Christian Firoz said four officers entered his store early Monday evening, took all his Salvia and issued him a citation for selling certain compounds.

“They said they’re going to hit everybody that’s selling Salvia and take everything,” Firoz, 35, said.

Firoz said his court date is April 16, and that he’s going to challenge the citation.

“I signed (the citation),” Firoz said. “I’ll be in court. We plan to fight it because we’ve been selling it for a while and it’s a lot of our sales.”

He also said the information that he has leads him to believe it is legal to sell Salvia.

Sen. Vickie McDonald of St. Paul sponsored the bill to ban Salvia on behalf of Attorney General Jon Bruning. The bill has no priority status, and there's little movement to add it as an amendment to another bill.

But Lincoln Police determined that a law currently on the state books outlaws the sale of Salvia.

One day after Firoz was quoted in the Journal Star about Salvia divinorum’s trance-like effects, his quotes ended up in a Lincoln Police report, Lincoln Police Capt. David Beggs said.

“It’s all psychological,” Firoz said in the article. “It puts you in a trance. It's very hard to explain.”

State statute 28-420 bans the sale of any substance which will induce an intoxicated condition when the seller “knows or has reason to know that such compound is intended for use to induce such condition.”

The “intoxicated condition,” as defined by Sec. 28-419, can include a “condition of intoxication, stupefaction, depression, giddiness, paralysis, inebriation, excitement, or irrational behavior, or in any manner changing, distorting, or disturbing the auditory, visual, mental or nervous processes.”

Beggs said an undercover officer purchased some Salvia earlier at the store Monday. Then the search warrant was executed, resulting in the seizure of 8.5 grams of the substance.

Reach Cory Matteson at 473-2655 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.

 


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Eric wrote on March 10, 2008 10:56 pm:
" Uh oh, now they are going to raid all the bar's in Lincoln and take their alcohol! "

 Jerry wrote on March 10, 2008 11:04 pm:
" Does this mean that selling alcohol is illegal? Heck, you could argue that even cigarettes cause the same effect. There are much more serious problems going on here in Lincoln than Salvia. This is rediculous. Following that statute could elminate a lot of problems but also cause a lot more. Think about it. "

 wondering wrote on March 10, 2008 11:22 pm:
" How does this law not apply to nicotine, caffeine, other so called legal drugs and alcohol? They all cause one or more of the conditions in the law. I'm not for the sale of Salvia per say, but I don't see how our police department can just pick and choose when they are going to enforce a law. "

 LPD...are you bored? wrote on March 10, 2008 11:55 pm:
" You've got to be kidding me.

Yes, Salvia should probably be made illegal...which is what the proposed Legislative Bill in the Nebraska Unicameral was designed to do.

Now, we have a bored police force...nothing better to do, that "busts", and subsequently issues a citation for selling a legal substance?

If there was a law currently on the books, why would our Nebraska Senators propose, and then vote on such a Bill?

What is going on? Make it a law first, then enforce it. It's not the other way around. Period.

I would say that there is a 99% chance that these "citations" are dismissed.

The people at the LPD that loosely-interpreted a "law" so that it may be applied in a specific circumstance.

I'll enjoy reading about this citation being thrown out by an appeals court, or city/county prosecutor.

*as a side note, I'd like to state that I witnessed a car-accident, called to report it...and it took 40 minutes for the LPD to arrive on the scene. "

 gj wrote on March 11, 2008 12:05 am:
" if the LPD is going to use this logic then they better ticket all those that sell cigarettes and alcohol as well...wait, those are harmless, right? why can't the LPD spend time on something more pressing...like, i don't know, crack and meth. "

 Lexie wrote on March 11, 2008 12:14 am:
" I can't beleive that LPD would make a bust on something that isn't illegal. It is a desperate attemp to be in controll of something they have no controll over.
8tsxe "

 Ahh, state statute 28-420... wrote on March 11, 2008 12:29 am:
" ...it's amazing that every liquor store in Lincoln hasn't been stormed.

The “intoxicated condition,” as defined by Sec. 28-419, can include a “condition of intoxication, stupefaction, depression, giddiness, paralysis, inebriation, excitement, or irrational behavior, or in any manner changing, distorting, or disturbing the auditory, visual, mental or nervous processes."

Nope, alcohol can't be included in that statute. I also find it funny that we have a state statute that outlaws "giddiness."

Oh...when will the hypocrisy end?

"

 Bill wrote on March 11, 2008 12:35 am:
" So does that mean alcohol is next? I think its time, no, its long over due that people understood that the war on drugs does not work, period. Jamming prisons and wasting tax payers money on non violent individuals because the have drugs on them. Its funny how our society tolerates the use of alcohol but demonize other drugs, one can even say less harmful. Are drugs bad, yes, but putting people away in prison is not the way to stop the use of it. Honestly after 30 years + shouldnt we know better. "

 Police State wrote on March 11, 2008 12:44 am:
" Look out Starbucks Your NEXT. "

 Tom wrote on March 11, 2008 1:28 am:
" My little brother has been in a mental hospital for the last 2 years after abusing savlia. This is great news. Hopefully this very dangerous drug soon becomes illegal. "

 confused wrote on March 11, 2008 1:48 am:
" then is alcohol also illegal too? "

 phil wrote on March 11, 2008 3:55 am:
" ....alcohol has an intoxicating effect also. Are we going to start busting people for that too, even though there is no law banning the sale, posession, or consumption of it? I have never done this salvia stuff, but the law is the law, if curbing drug use was so important, how did this not get passed in the last session? Good job LPD, making non-binding, tax payer wasting busts again. "

 RTM wrote on March 11, 2008 4:21 am:
" Praise the Lord! After a good sermonand celebration of the Spirit, a little communion brings many parishoners, The “intoxicated condition,” as defined by Sec. 28-419, a “condition of intoxication, stupefaction, depression, giddiness, excitement, or irrational behavior. These men in blue may not be a sight to welcome anymore?, "

 Wondering wrote on March 11, 2008 5:16 am:
" Would this statute also ban the sale of alcohol? "

 Uh... wrote on March 11, 2008 6:59 am:
" Does anyone else notice that this supposed statute also would deem alcohol illegal? Hell even caffiene or energy drinks...


"

 well i guess wrote on March 11, 2008 7:06 am:
" stop selling paint gasoline all glues nitrous all cleaning agents markers and freons. might as well shut down and clean out every store that sells something besides food. which by the way can also do that. dont for get the medicines diet pills deodorant and hot sauces. if people want to get "intoxicated" they will find a way. clean out the liquor stores. oh wait you dont inhale or smoke that. we have a test for that. oh well it intoxicates you. "

 confused wrote on March 11, 2008 7:35 am:
" Doesn't statute 28-420 mean that selling alcohol in Nebraska is illegal? "

 When are the bars next wrote on March 11, 2008 7:38 am:
" Alchohol does the same thing..

The “intoxicated condition,” as defined by Sec. 28-419, can include a “condition of intoxication, stupefaction, depression, giddiness, paralysis, inebriation, excitement, or irrational behavior, or in any manner changing, distorting, or disturbing the auditory, visual, mental or nervous processes.”
"

 advertisement wrote on March 11, 2008 8:16 am:
" And now all of this publicity is advertising the drug to those who had never heard of it before. Way to go LPD, you just boosted sales to our kids with a bust that will never hold up. "

 Greg wrote on March 11, 2008 8:49 am:
" The situation here is that the Lincoln Police Department seems unable to confront and solve the real problems in Lincoln: abundant meth and other drugs, neighborhoods where one can't walk safely at night, bands of 10 or 12 street punks accosting citizens, rampant and major shop lifting, gang activity, unsolved thefts and robberies, destruction of property (from car windows to jiffy johns), etc. And so, to prove that the Police are protecting us, they set up a straw man (salvia sales) and waste their time and our tax dollars to knock it down, a cynical "feel good" gesture. C'mon LPD, start dealing with the real issues in the community. "

 Burt wrote on March 11, 2008 9:14 am:
" PATHETIC!!!! LPD once again makes the big bust that saves the city, or not... Glad to see our tax paying dollars going to such worthy cause.
As many people have stated below, it would be nice to see our police focusing on real events and issues. Not harassing local store owners who support the local economy and this in turn supports our already weakening national economy.
Saliva will kill us all!! Oh that's right it wont. Must have received the wrong memo boys in blue. "

 LPD has a Point wrote on March 11, 2008 9:20 am:
" The whole reason LPD busted Exotica and took its salvia away was so citizens couldn't legally purchase salvia before it becomes illegal and find out that the attorney general is lying to us about how dangerous it is.
If the public realizes that the war on drugs does more harm than drugs themselves, they may not support it anymore and there goes LPD's easy work. "

 mb wrote on March 11, 2008 9:24 am:
" "The 'intoxicated condition,' as defined by Sec. 28-419, can include a “condition of intoxication, stupefaction, depression, giddiness, paralysis, inebriation, excitement, or irrational behavior, or in any manner changing, distorting, or disturbing the auditory, visual, mental or nervous processes.”

The above paragraph from the article describes the effests of alcoholic beverages as well as those of Salvia -- so why is it legal to sell alcoholic beverages? The sellers well knows that it has the potential to intoxicate and to cause all the other effects described, and yet they are allowed to sell it. It probably should not be legal to sell Salvia, but neither should it be legal to sell alcoholic beverages just because they are popular even with the law makers and law enforcers. Isn't this hypocritical? "

 Ryan wrote on March 11, 2008 9:31 am:
" Not sure if any one knew this or not, but there is a drug called "meth." This drug is killing our young people. The reason the police did this bust is to make themselves look good, make us think they are working on the drug problem. It's not that hard to bust a business. They should be out there trying to find meth labs, but that would be to difficult "

 Debra wrote on March 11, 2008 9:33 am:
" It's obvious that most of the people posting here have no clue why the LPD considers Salvia to be dangerous. Do some research, find out why. What do you think teens are turning to to get high? Since this isn't currently illegal, and is such an hallucinogen, this is exactly what they are going after. Quit muddying the waters with your nonsense about alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, etc. This stuff is bad news, and I got that directly from a teen who had tried it. "

 Realist wrote on March 11, 2008 9:34 am:
" For all of you saying "Yes, it should be illegal..." can you tell me WHY? All we need is another illegal substance for officers to police. From what I hear, Salvia gives you a 5 minute buzz, 10 minutes tops. It's apparently pleasureable... so is THAT the reason you want to make it illegal? Because people enjoy it? I mean, we're not talking about a simple ban (like the smoking ban), we're talking about making it a criminal offense. People could be put in jail for it, or at very least, fined. I just think there are enough criminalized substances in the world. How about we make them illegal to use in public (you have to use it at home). Make it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy and use. And, of course, illegal to use while driving, etc. Why isn't that good enough? "

 SLK wrote on March 11, 2008 10:12 am:
" So I guess this means the proposed bill that would make salvia a felony is unnecessary, the legislature will come to its senses and spend time trying to fix real problems...
Sorry - was obviously high on salvia while I typed that, since I was feeling happy and hopeful. I've changed my mind - it's as dangerous as meth!!!! "

 nemo wrote on March 11, 2008 10:23 am:
" Don't forget the valerian and chamomile tea and sominex and mountain dew and nodoz. Take it all after all we are all so incapable of taking care of ourselves, the LPD needs to do it for us. outrageous!!!!! "

 Dave wrote on March 11, 2008 10:45 am:
" Don't forget chocolate and its effects on endorphins! "

 Dumbstruck wrote on March 11, 2008 10:50 am:
" This action by the police is utterly insane. There has never been an emergency room visit or reported crime as a result of salvia divinorum. It's been legal in Nebraska for at least a decade with NO INCIDENT. Meanwhile today, hundreds of Lincolnites are going to be sold alcohol for the specific purpose of getting intoxicated. "

 milkdud wrote on March 11, 2008 11:17 am:
" State statute 28-420 bans the sale of any substance which will induce an intoxicated condition when the seller “knows or has reason to know that such compound is intended for use to induce such condition.”

The “intoxicated condition,” as defined by Sec. 28-419, can include a “condition of intoxication, stupefaction, depression, giddiness, paralysis, inebriation, excitement, or irrational behavior, or in any manner changing, distorting, or disturbing the auditory, visual, mental or nervous processes.”

Better arrest everyone who sells sugar, caffeine or kava kava then. These also can cause any of the above symptoms. Check out all those children drinking Mountain Dew to get high!
"

 ta wrote on March 11, 2008 11:17 am:
" I get a sometimes feel a little giddiness and excitement when the Huskers Win and a little bit of depression when they loose. I hope the Cops don't take away my Huskers.

We now have lost control of our goverment they are busting people for laws that they feel should be on the books. "

 Another plant wrote on March 11, 2008 11:33 am:
" that grows wild that is illegal awesome!Next we will see commercials that warn us not to use it and that it will fry our brain. The "Drug War" is the biggest waste of money this gov't has ever done(even worse than Iraq). Why does the Lincoln Police force continue to bust people for this and not concentrate on meth? Oh I know, because meth is much more dangerous drug to make a bust on and the LPD would rather have people dying from it then themselves. Not impressive LPD. Start doing some real police work and start cracking down on the epidemic that all Nebraskans (except police officers) know as METH. "

 Ha_Outlaw_Coffee_and_Love_Next wrote on March 11, 2008 11:56 am:
" With that description: sex and coffee are out!

The “intoxicated condition,” as defined by Sec. 28-419, can include a “condition of intoxication, stupefaction, depression, giddiness, paralysis, inebriation, excitement, or irrational behavior, or in any manner changing, distorting, or disturbing the auditory, visual, mental or nervous processes.”
"

 X-Cop wrote on March 11, 2008 12:18 pm:
" Come-On LPD...Your better than this.
It looks like the LPD has opened us taxpayers up to pay out on a big lawsuit. "

 CSS wrote on March 11, 2008 12:26 pm:
" This is a complete joke. Isn't there something better the LPD could be spending their time on than re-interpreting laws to include salvia?? Look at it this way, 1) the state senate doesn't care, 2) it's not a problem and 3) your "crack down" only netted 8.5 grams. What a waste of time and money. This is obviously not an important issue to _anyone_ in the city. "

 Roland wrote on March 11, 2008 12:41 pm:
" I take it LPD wants to encourage people to try this drug before it is indeed illegal. Why else would they draw such attention and use such heavy-handed tactics if not to create more publicity and more interest? I am sure many kids and adults who have never heard of this herb may want to try it out simply because of all the media hype. Great job, LPD! "

 Priorities? wrote on March 11, 2008 12:48 pm:
" So now the LPD is spending their time making up “crimes”. Since there is no law against selling or using salvia divinorum, they're trying to apply a statute that is somewhat close. This will use up some of the LPD’s (apparently not very valuable) time, our overburdened court system’s time, and will ultimately be thrown out.
But hey, if you can't catch any real criminals, harassing law abiding citizens is always fun.
Thank goodness we don’t have any problems with assaults, theft, gangs or drugs in Lincoln. Otherwise I might question the LPD's priorities.


"

 Stop Donuts! wrote on March 11, 2008 12:51 pm:
" Perhaps the Journal Star should do an article on how donuts are still legal despite their ability to raise an officer's, I mean a person's mood. They also contribute to obesity. So it's a double whammy! Stop the madness!!
I bet the LPD would raid every bakery in town the next day.
"

 american wrote on March 11, 2008 1:20 pm:
" "Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy", oops, damn, now they're gonna make us all live in caves so we don't get that giddy feeling that'll be coming soon with the arrival of spring.

Don't get caught out in your yards enjoying the sunshine folks, they'll bust ya for it and take away your joy.

Chocolate, in the right doses, will make you feel something for sure, so we'll outlaw chocolate too. Sugar all by itself can make anyone wacky.

Spinning in circles, while not a substance, will make you too giddy to drive for a while so we should throw all youngsters who so engage in juvenile detention. Ditto the same for swinging, running, jumping up and down and for certain make sure you're standing upwind when filling your gas tank cause the fumes are, well, intoxicating.

Whatever you do make sure you do it with a sober mind at all times because the cops will get you for it.

Salvia a danger? The Lincoln police need to get real on this because the 'high' doesn't last long enough for someone to even accidently pee themselves, nevermind pose a serious hazard. "

 ENLIL wrote on March 11, 2008 1:42 pm:
" The most commonly reported after-effects include an increased feeling of insight and improved mood, and a sense of calmness and increased sense of connection with nature.

Salvia divinorum is not generally understood to be toxic or addictive. As a κ-opioid agonist, it may have potential as an analgesic and as therapy for drug addictions.

Yup, let's not let people use this stuff. How about something prescribed. Yeah, prescription drugs sound much better. "

 Rys wrote on March 11, 2008 1:48 pm:
" This is insane! As others have already pointed out, if they are going to bust Salvia under this statute, then they would have to bust alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine as well.

Me and most of my friends have done Salvia and it's perfectly harmless. You are happy and hallucinate for about 5 minutes, and then you have a good laugh with your friends afterward about the stupid things you said. Oh noes!

Oh and I should also add, that all of us are still perfectly intelligent and mentally competent, we all have jobs, get good grades and don't do any other "drugs". Salvia is not physically addictive, and it's impossible to overdose on or die from. So WHY should it be illegal?! "

 Jack wrote on March 11, 2008 1:57 pm:
" It would be interesting to hear from an adult who has actually experimented with this substance, as opposed to making judgements based on "a teenager told me so". From
what I've read, it would appear that energy drinks, Mountain Dew, or Espresso has a longer lasting effect than this stuff.....Anybody???? "

 interesting... wrote on March 11, 2008 2:14 pm:
" After reading some of these comments regarding Salvia...I wonder how many of these reponders are parents. I did not see an age limit--is there one?--for purchasing this. I have enough to keep an eye on with teenaged kids and now add this to the list...and it's legal. So, as a parent, some of you that have responded that have kids, and have a problem with LPD getting involved....my question to you...while your kids hang out at my house..you would have no problem that I would allow them to use Salvia while they're here...I don't think that would go over very well at all! But wait, it's legal! Also, on the AP News, a story has come across today about other states banning Salvia sales. I guess the part about a teenager in Delaware that committed suicide...possibly linked to Saliva use...has me paying more attention. I had never heard about this stuff until I read this article. I must agree with the post titled "advertisement"...I wonder how many kids took this article to school for their current event...spread the word. Hopefully it will be banned in Lincoln!
Here is the link to the article that came across the AP news wire....North West Florida Daily News. http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/HALLUCINOGENIC_PLANT....and I also noticed while searching for the story..FOX News is running the story also. "

 Soylent Green wrote on March 11, 2008 2:16 pm:
" Nicotine is one of if not the most addictive substance on the market today! I don't see LPD out there cracking down on the sale of cigs... I agree that Salvia would best be banned or at least it's sale be limited to those 18 and older, but come on! I would think LPD has better things to do than trump up "crimes". It is actions like this that make it tough to believe that Lincoln really needs more cops... "

 Lindsay wrote on March 11, 2008 2:33 pm:
" I'm surprised fun hasn't been outlawed either. "

 Protect YOUR Kids wrote on March 11, 2008 2:49 pm:
" LPD is not responsible for protecting your children - you are. And don't advocate throwing adults into jail so you can pretend that your kids aren't exposed to illegal drugs. That approach has yet to work. "

 Police State wrote on March 11, 2008 3:02 pm:
" Section 28-419 lists a bunch of substances that are unlawful to "induce or entice" the "inhaling or drinking" of...what's alarming is the part where is says, "...or ANY OTHER substance that...". This does give the government the authority to arrest or ticket people for involvment with LEGAL substances that they somehow decide to attack.

Alcoloh is indeed excepted: Section 28-421 reads: "
The provisions of sections 28-419 to 28-424 shall not apply to the use or sale of such substances, as defined in sections 28-419 and 28-420, when such use or sale is administered or prescribed for medical or dental purposes, nor shall the provisions of sections 28-419 to 28-424 apply to the use or sale of alcoholic liquors as defined by section 53-103."

I have yet to hear any rational reason that alcohol is legal while other drugs aren't. I guess it's just a case of "cause Big Brother says so".

"

 I grow it wrote on March 11, 2008 3:03 pm:
" I have a question, what about those of us who have it as a plant in our gardens? Is the police going to go around house to house and bust anyone who uses it as a flower. "

 To interesting.... wrote on March 11, 2008 3:06 pm:
" you have to be 18 to even enter Exotica and if you don't know where your kids are, what kind of parent are you? Sorry but I would rather have my kid buy something like salvia then buy a 12 pack and drive around all night. This plant has been legal for thousands of years and now we are going to make it illegal because it makes us giddy,smile and excitement oh no! The fact that drugs like these are illegal is absolutely insane. If drugs are such a problem why do I know at least 20 times more people who's lives have been affected by alcohol.This is just another way our gov't can spend time busting non-violent drug offenders and continue to fill up our prisons (which by the way are ran by private corporations). What a waste of time and money! I have an idea fight a real crime, METH. "

 To interesting.... wrote on March 11, 2008 3:12 pm:
" sounds like you need to get a grip. And oh my gosh Fox News is reporting it, it must be true!! By your logic and how people get "high" on salvia, then shouldn't alcohol be illegal? Some food for thought. Native Americans have used if for hundreds of years and has never shown any addictive traits. And I find it funny how you add a suicide story, I can guarantee you that the kid had a lot more going on in his life than one salvia session. Get a grip. "

 MarkyMark wrote on March 11, 2008 3:44 pm:
" Our law enforcement community really needs to work on something important. "

 GMP wrote on March 11, 2008 4:19 pm:
" Please raid places selling plaid clothes, because they make my head spin. But don't do it until it is actually illegal, not just because I don't like it. "

 I support LPD wrote on March 11, 2008 4:29 pm:
" I don't at all get how you can compare the effects of this drug to caffeine, and the entire situation to alcohol and whatnot. I don't get high when I have my coffee in the morning. I don't think I ever did. When I drink alcohol, I don't drink it with the intention of getting drunk. You seek out and ingest this drug for the express purpose of getting high. You can have caffeine or nicotine or alcohol and not get high......can you not see the distinction??? Is it because I can't relate to your thinking because I don't do drugs? "

 kevin wrote on March 11, 2008 5:03 pm:
" Well ya know, salvia today and all your morning glories tomorrow. Those little Heavenly Blue seeds pack a nice wallop. Get them fresh though, not the treated packaged ones.

There's a whole host of garden plants that'll give you a buzz in one form or another. Let's see the police go house to house making sure we're all in compliance. "

 Denny Macomber wrote on March 11, 2008 5:20 pm:
" The Lincoln Police Department clearly has too many resources and too much time on their hands. Perhaps eventually they can find time to address the series of garage robberies that have occurred over the last year in my neighborhood. Or perhaps eventually we can get them to respond in less than 45 minutes when drunken college students are fighting in our yards at 2 a.m. It would seem to me that pursuing real criminals would be a better use of my tax dollars than this nonsense. The total lack of leadership and direction in this department is amazing. Lets focus on addressing crime with victims as opposed to this nonsense. "

 As Atticus mentioned wrote on March 11, 2008 5:26 pm:
" Alcohol is an exception. Section 28-421 states: "The provisions of sections 28-419 to 28-424 shall not apply to the use or sale of such substances, as defined in sections 28-419 and 28-420, when such use or sale is administered or prescribed for medical or dental purposes, nor shall the provisions of sections 28-419 to 28-424 apply to the use or sale of alcoholic liquors as defined by section 53-103." "

 Hmmm wrote on March 11, 2008 5:53 pm:
" "the part about a teenager in Delaware that committed suicide...possibly linked to Saliva use"

The word here being POSSIBLY. Maybe he was just so happy he realized how miserable his life really was, and decided to commit suicide. I really doubt the 1-5 minutes of happiness drove him to suicide. So would you also like alcohol banned before your kids get ahold of that also? As a parent you should know what your kids are doing, if they won't tell you, find out. Your kids can smoke all the pot they want, drink all the alcohol they want, and have all the sex they want. As long as they are using Salvia. Woo, crisis avoided with this one. "

 TAX-PAYER wrote on March 11, 2008 5:58 pm:
" I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME LINCOLN FOUND A NEW CHIEF OF POLICE.Our mayor needs to do his job and find someone better since we donte get to vote for Police Chief.....even tho we pay his salary :( The citizens of Lincoln have had enough of Cassidy's Gustapo in Blue "

 Pusherman wrote on March 11, 2008 6:00 pm:
" I'm buying up as much as this as I can, what with the stock market down and all. I expect the demand to rise rise rise and my profits will soar, thanks to you LPD and Urinal Star! "

 mlc wrote on March 11, 2008 6:02 pm:
" I'm a parent. I'm also a firm believer in our constitutional rights. Salvia is an herb. The government has no right to tell us what we can and can't grow. Period. If a person makes a poor decision to get into a vehicle and drive under the influence of any number of drugs or substances legal or otherwise, causing a death, there is already a law on the books to prosecute this person. It's called vehicular manslaughter. We should educate our children on the dangers of drug use and the consequences of irresponsible behavior. The past thirty years of the failed "war on drugs" has taught us that if people want to use drugs, they are going to use drugs. With the exception of manufactured poisons such as meth, drugs should be legal. It would be one less thing the mafia and gangs would be involved in, and the government can tax it. "

 Hello . . . . . . . . . wrote on March 11, 2008 7:17 pm:
" Ban it all you want. You can have it shipped direct to your house from the many internet sites. Maybe you should also take our tax dollars to police the internet, or have dogs at everyone's mail box. Any purchases made on the internet means no local tax comming in to pay their salaries! So why are we bothering a local bussiness for something legal. "

 steverl wrote on March 11, 2008 7:17 pm:
" I guess that people need something artificial to make them feel good? I don't drink. I couldn't care if they ban alcohol. I don't smoke. It wouldn't bother me if they banned tobacco. I don't do illegal drugs. Keep them outlawed. I guess I don't need this junk to make me feel good about life. Remember that drugs, alcohol, and now this salvia are only temporary "highs". Unfortunately for you people who feel they you need something to make you feel good about yourselves, it's only temporary. Sooooo Sorry. "

 Oxymorons! wrote on March 11, 2008 8:37 pm:
" I will not be redundant and list all of the things regarding the statute as they have been well laid out by 40+ posts already. I do know I will feel depressed, stupefied and disturbed if there is a lawsuit and the taxpayers are drilled once again. LPD can not just make up their own laws! Is not that akin to vigilante justice? Oh, and by the way, the LJS found my first post on this subject unfit to post??? Seems there has been much worse stated....? "

 Not giving it out of fear of retribution wrote on March 11, 2008 9:01 pm:
" When will people finally realize how corrupt our police department really is... "

 History repeats itself wrote on March 11, 2008 9:05 pm:
" This law was passed in 1977, which suprised me. I assumed it was left over from prohibition, quite possibly one of the dumbest social experiments ever... I find it amusing that our "leaders" have still failed to realize that outlawing something like this makes it more of a problem than it was before... "

 Why are you suprised? wrote on March 11, 2008 9:07 pm:
" LPD has no respect for the law. This isn't the first time they've stomped on bounderies to get their way... Try buying a "Tobacco water pipe" "

 what wrote on March 11, 2008 10:10 pm:
" what if we allow it and just tax the heck out of it then we could use the tax money to build new roads or repave some of the pothole filled old ones "

 The Opportunist wrote on March 12, 2008 12:34 am:
" I can't wait for them to make Salvia illegal! Instead of going to the stores to buy it, it'll be another subsatance for people to sell in the streets, and cause more reason for robberies, and murder over ways to make money! My eyes have $ in them! "

 Clueless in Lincoln wrote on March 12, 2008 9:28 am:
" I can't believe the comments against LPD. What is wrong with you people? Are you insane? Salvia has the same effects as LSD. One person is Delaware killed themselves because he was under the influence of salvia divinorum. This is a serious drug that causes users to hallucinate and because of that they do things that they otherwise would not. It is much stronger than other drugs such as alcohol and marijuana. It was an outstanding job that LPD put a stop to this madness as obviously our law makers had the insight to include this in a statute. As far as a lawsuit - it would only happen when I take legal action against one these bloggers when you drive into my family in your salvia divinorum stupor. And just to reiterate for the many illiterate that read the journal star - ALCOHOL IS EXEMPT FROM THE STATUTE - did you all read that? Alcohol is not in violation. If a store sells ALCOHOL it's okay because it's not a violation. Maybe that's too hard for people to understand - let's try this: Alcohol = okay. Salvia (AKA: LSD) = not okay. It's not very hard to understand people - maybe it's time some of you became educated? "

 Clueless in Lincoln wrote on March 12, 2008 9:38 am:
" To all who think this is like alcohol - please head to youtube and search 'salvia' and watch the effects of this drug. Thank you LPD for keeping us safe from these people. "

 Salvia does not kill wrote on March 12, 2008 12:11 pm:
" Do your homework on the kid in Delaware - the toxicology report following his suicide found NO salvia in his system. It was not listed as THE cause of death, just a contributing factor because that's what his mom thinks contributed to his depression.
People driving under the influence of anything is already illegal, and saying a substance should be illegal because it would impair driving is just steering the argument into a direction where you can support your position.
There is no reason for salvia (or any drug for that matter) to be illegal.
And LPD is obviously on a power trip. I am outraged. "

 EMBEE wrote on March 12, 2008 12:33 pm:
" Can you still buy the stuff at Exotica or anyplace else in Lincoln? I wanna get some and add it to the stuff I already smoke. Sounds like fun! "

 unbelievable wrote on March 12, 2008 12:38 pm:
" Lincoln police stepped way over the line on this one. You must have a law to break it. Can they just arrest anyone they do not like? Be careful how you look at the police people. "

 Snowflake wrote on March 12, 2008 1:33 pm:
" So if it is already illegal, why are they trying to pass another law to spell it out? Actually, as a parent, I'm proud of the LPD. "

 This is ridiculous wrote on March 12, 2008 2:08 pm:
" Um...I'm pretty sure that car accidents involving alcohol are far more prevalent than car accidents involving psychidelic herbs. In fact...I've NEVER heard of the latter.

The Salvia for sale at Exotica has many warnings and suggestions on the package. It advises having someone present to make sure that you don't accidentally hurt yourself. It advises you to sit down the whole time. It tells you what to expect when it takes effect. They don't even allow you to enter Exotica unless you are 18 years old, much less buy Salvia.

This isn't just something that comes in a little baggy on the street corner or is popular with hardcore druggies. It tastes terrible, it's kind of expensive and is not a party drug at all. Most people had never even heard of it until it started getting all this press. Way to go, LPD.

Besides, every time I have done Salvia, I feel like I am connected to whatever I'm sitting on and I couldn't move if I tried. It's doubtful that I would be able to wander behind the wheel of a car or injure myself, if I can't even lift my arms. This is just blown so far out of proportion, it's unreal. Even if it IS being sold with the intent of getting high...so what? What's the crime in hallucinating for 5 minutes? how is that hurting anyone? It's just stupid. "

 Awesome! wrote on March 12, 2008 2:54 pm:
" Lets make salvia illegal just like marijuana so it is 10 easier for my child to just get it at school, on the street of from his friends. It is 50 times easier for kids to get drugs that are illegal than legal drugs like alcohol. Our gov't needs to come back to reality and do something that will actually fight drugs. Doesn't this stuff grow wild? We should probably start outlawing grass after all it does make people feel different when they put it in their smoothies. Oh gosh! Find something better to do LPD, maybe fight the meth problem, maybe solve some garage robberies? Oops I forgot, that is real police work. The LPD doing the easiest fix to make themselves look good. Typical LPD. "

 Timmy P wrote on March 12, 2008 3:36 pm:
" Look out Starbucks your NEXT. "

 Regarding alcohol wrote on March 12, 2008 3:49 pm:
" I could be wrong but I believe it is illegal to sell someone alcohol if they are intoxicated, because they are oblviously just drinking to get drunk....

I think the law allows liquor sales because they are giving us the benfit of the doubt reagrding alcohol. They are assuming the we are drinking it only because we are thirsty and or we are enjoying it responsibly without over-indulging. Now I admit, this isn't true in many cases, but selling a subtance whose only purpose is to intoxicate someone (like salvia) would be considered illegal. That's the difference in my eyes... "

 Nina wrote on March 12, 2008 5:05 pm:
" Just recently I've heard of this stuff and its effects. I've had salvia in my flower garden for years. Hope it's not the same stuff, as I like the bright red flowers that can thrive in Nebraska's heat waves. Of all the entries I read on the net, nothing said if the flowering garden plant and the herbal seeds have the same source. "

 To "ridiculous" wrote on March 12, 2008 5:36 pm:
" The only reason that car accidents are more prevalent when alcohol is involved is because alcohol is EVERYWHERE. Don't try and make it sound as if no one is dumb enough to smoke this stuff when they are already behind the wheel... "

 Huh wrote on March 12, 2008 6:07 pm:
" WHAT is wrong with some of you. You scream about banning cigarettes citing second hand cigarette smoke is dangerous to you, but don't see anything wrong with using a drug that makes you forget you're even alive for 3 to 4 mins? You are stupid. "

 Billy From The Hills wrote on March 13, 2008 7:16 am:
" Should we ban music. meditation, exercise and all forms of free thinking? We could ban sex and all reproduce in petri dishes. This is obviously an attack on those that may be influenced to think outside the bounds of what is dictated by the morals up upper class white people.

"intoxication, stupefaction, depression, giddiness, paralysis, inebriation, excitement, or irrational behavior, or in any manner changing, distorting, or disturbing the auditory, visual, mental or nervous processes"
In my opinion these are all symptoms of LIFE.
The consciousness of our minds is constantly manipulated by ourselves and the world around us. These are not proper reasons to remove a substance. Whats next? My ginko and st. johns wort? Kava root is a know intoxicant that is very bad for your liver. "

 connie wrote on March 13, 2008 11:00 am:
" I seriouusly believed that there was going to be a 'just kidding' and a smiley face at the end of this story. What a joke! "

 Eric wrote on March 13, 2008 3:48 pm:
" I would like to try to answer of the issues that have arisen in the comments below.
1. The law used to raid the shop can be found online. Look up Nebraska LB28-419 and 28-420. It is phrased rather ambiguously. It includes a list of banned compounds to inhale, but it also mentions "any other compound" used to achieve intoxication and defined in the bill, which would include things like marijuana, lsd, cigarettes, and alcohol. Thus, interpretation of this bill as absolutely key. The main question here is: does the bill ban intoxicating compounds (as might be suggested by the "any other compound" phrase, or does it apply specifically to the list of chemicals?)

2. The issue in this article is not, is salvia bad or good? People will never agree on that no matter how much you insult them. Just look at the debate over marijuana and the sustained conflict of opinion there. The question is, did police have a legal right to invade exotica? Regardless of whether or not you think salvia is bad, the legal issue is the one at hand.

3. Once again, I think its important that people look up that bill. Even without the salvia case, it brings up some very significant issues. "

 Figures wrote on March 13, 2008 9:55 pm:
" LPD is one of the most worthless police departments in the country.

Not the most worthless - but definitely close.

Wise up, LPD, and take care of the real problems of this city - not a substance that isn't even illegal.

And don't use that state statute stuff - if you do, go arrest every single person that's ever had a drink in their life. Oh, wait - you'd have to arrest yourselves too?

TOUGH. "

 thoughtful wrote on March 14, 2008 2:35 am:
" If this is how they interpret the law, wouldn't alcohol be illegal? What about medicines that cause dizziness, such as pain killers and allergy medications? How much longer until we find SWAT teams at our doors for Aspirin or Allegra? They're already making raids for prescription drugs and doctor proscribed marijuana. "

 Anthony wrote on April 25, 2008 8:43 pm:
" Under that statute it looks like everyone selling alcohol should be cited too. Why can't the government just let us have our fun? "

 Yeah... wrote on June 12, 2008 1:47 am:
" This is Ree-Dick-ulous!!!! I can't believe these cops!
I must say, it is strange that everyone keeps comparing salvia to alcohol, they are nothing alike. Salvia is an extremely powerful hallucinogen. I assumed it was no big deal because it is legal, but its affects were far more powerful than shrooms, just not as long lasting. Honestly it was a little to real. I have only tried salvia once, and I may never do it again. It's like a once every couple of years kind of thing at the most! "

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