My email to Suzanne Crouch (R-IN)

 

Representative Crouch,


It's a shame that you would propose a piece of legislation that is
built on a foundation of pure ignorance and fear. I am referring, in
this case, to your bill to make salvia divinorum  an illegal substance.
I have used salvia responsibly for years now and have also studied
carefully both the effects it has had on me and the effects as they
have been documented by others.

I am well aware that there is NO scientific evidence to support a claim
that salvia is a dangerous drug. In fact, here are the only claims I
have been able to find against this drug (as stated by local media
outlets):

- "the fact that it has that kind of reaction and is not illegal
certainly caused me to look at it seriously."  [and look at it you
should, but that does NOT mean that putting forth legislation is the
right solution]

- Indiana is now, based on Illinois' decision to make it illegal, a
safe-haven of salvia (said by a sheriff supporting your bill). [So
because Illinois also made an uninformed decision about salvia, we
should as well?]

 A quick side-note to that - I find it hypocritical that because one
woman lost her son, Brett, to suicide and blamed it on salvia, that we
are now trying to link those two, while at the same time, alcohol
(the companies which sell it allegedly make up your 7th largest industry
contributor) is completely ignored as far as it's much more
substantiated correlation to depression and suicide.

- Also any claim that 'the people' (assuming a majority) are pressing
for action on this is a lie. So far, the ONLY local evidence available (a local news
station's online poll) states that 79% of the respondents oppose outright prohibition
(60% favor an age limit, which already exists so far as I'm aware, and if it does not, I
would certainly support).

And all the subtle associations made to LSD are simply ludicrous. We
are discussing a drug whose "mind-altering" effects last no longer than
10-20 minutes. Wouldn't we be blessed if so many heavily intoxicated
individuals who decide to risk the drive home could instead just let it
phase out for twenty minutes and then take the trip safe and sober.

Let me also say that right now, the price of 'manufactured' salvia is
very high (as much as $50 for half a gram). It's almost so expensive as
to not be worth it, which actually (in my case anyway) keeps my demand
pretty low. Something else I have noticed, while I'm speaking of
personal experience, is that the younger generation doesn't care about
it as much as other, currently illegal, drugs. I believe this is a
combination of the fact that it is expensive, and more importantly, legal, which makes it
less "cool" than illegal drugs like marijuana. If and when this
drug becomes illegal, the underground, unregulated market will lower
the price, and because it is now forbidden, will be more appealing and
accessible to the very individuals you are trying to protect, the children.

I believe it is time to entrust adults with responsibility and allow
this lesser evil of drugs (regularly used for religious purposes...not
something you often hear of a case of miller light) to stay legal
(establish age limits, if necessary) and thus, keep it out of the hands
of children.

With the overwhelming incarceration rates of this country (highest in
the world), you really must ask yourself, is sending people to jail for
at least 6 years for a drug that distorts your visual perception and
makes you laugh for twenty minutes a morally correct decision? I assure
you, ma'am, if you have ever been under the effects of nitrous oxide at
the dentist office, then you have experienced a fair equivalent of what
salvia does to a user.

Do the right thing on this issue, and you will have a passionate
supporter and website-operator who will not let your good deed go
unwitnessed.


      Your fellow resident
           

 

Copy this and send it to her h78@IN.gov and let her know that you do drugs too!