Salvia divinorum: an hallucinogenic mint which might become a new recreational drug in Switzerland.
Christian Giroud, F Felber, Marc Augsburger, B Horisberger, L Rivier, Patrice Mangin
Forensic Science International August 14, 2000 DOI: 10.1016/s0379-0738(00)00180-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Salvia divinorum specimens seized in Switzerland |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Salvinorin a: hallucinogen Psychoactive substance Entheogen Psychedelic European drug market Illicit drug trade Recreational drug use Emerging drug trend Greenhouse operations Drug plantations Plant cultivation Drug production Legal status Substance control Drug laws Unregulated substances |
| Citations | 70 |
| Key findings | Salvia divinorum plants and their active compound salvinorin A are being cultivated and used recreationally in Switzerland, likely due to their legal status under Swiss narcotic law. |
Abstract
Salvia divinorum Epling & Jativa is an hallucinogenic mint traditionally used for curing and divination by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. Young people from Mexican cities were reported to smoke dried leaves of S. divinorum as a marijuana substitute. Recently, two S. divinorum specimens were seized in a large-scale illicit in-door and out-door hemp plantation. Salvinorin A also called divinorin A, a trans-neoclerodane diterpene, was identified in several organic solvent extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The botanical identity of the plant was confirmed by comparing it to an authentic herbarium specimen. More plants were then discovered in Swiss horticulturists greenhouses. All these data taken together suggest that many attempts exist in Switzerland to use S. divinorum as a recreational drug. This phenomenon may be enhanced because neither the magic mint, nor its active compound are banned substances listed in the Swiss narcotic law.