« Kurita's Withdrawal: Another Hackett Job? | Main | Chattanooga Mayor Littlefield Bans Reporter »
April 13, 2006
Salvia Breath, Senator
Found on Chattanoogan.com: "We have enough problems with illegal drugs as it is without people promoting getting high from some glorified weed that’s been brought up from Mexico. The only people I’ve heard from who are opposed to making [Salvia divinorum] illegal are those who are getting stoned on it." -- Tennessee State Senator Tim Burchett
Well, Senator Burchett, now you've heard from someone who has never touched the stuff, and wouldn't recognize it on sight, who opposes making it illegal.
First, you've got the hypocrisy: Tobacco kills unholy numbers of people every year, and it's legal. (For the record, I strongly oppose any effort to make it otherwise.)
Then, you've got basic freedoms: the plants that people choose to ingest are not the government's arena of operations. "You're out of your element," as Walter would say.
"But, but -- what if someone chooses to ingest a plant that is known to harm people?"
See point #1.
Thirdly: Tim. Dude, it's a freakin' mint. Like oregano, or basil. Or catnip. Yes, that's right -- felines everywhere are getting all hopped up on salvia's relative.
Indigenous Americans have been using salvia for centuries. It's part of a rite. They might be able to handle their doses, or they may just munch a little bit -- I don't know. What I do know is that the best way to keep people from trying to get their hands on a whole pile of something and get zonked on it is NOT by making it illegal. Prohibition simply entices; it does not deter.
Just take part of your own statement, for example. "We have enough problems with illegal drugs as it is." Do you not realize that if you create more illegal drugs, you create more of those problems?
Here's some "sage" advice, Senator Burchett: drop this invasive legislation and don't look back. We'll try to forget it ever happened.
Government | By joe lance | 11:37 PM