SB 313-SALVIA DIVINORUM AS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE  9:44:48 AM CHAIR RALPH SEEKINS announced SB 313 to be up for consideration. SENATOR GENE THERRIAULT asked Dave Stancliff to introduce SB 313. DAVE STANCLIFF, Staff to Senator Therriault, introduced the bill. Salvia divinorum is a very powerful substance used primarily by the Mazatec Indians for the purpose of obtaining spiritual visions. It is the most potent hallucinogenic material known to man and due to a proliferation of Internet sales, this substance is now being sold in stores in Alaska. Purveyors of the substance give grave warnings about its use. The sponsor has several letters of support for the bill from varying departments, including the Department of Health and Social Services. 9:47:44 AM Studies have shown that people predisposed to depression or schizophrenia can be tipped further in that direction after using Salvia. There are long-term effects such as flashbacks. After consumption of the substance the high can last for hours and the effects can last for days. Salvia divinorum is enjoying a rise in use due to the lack of restrictions on the substance. Alaska should stay ahead of the game and add this to the list of Schedule II illegal drugs. 9:50:24 AM SENATOR GRETCHEN GUESS asked whether someone who needed it would be able to still get the drug if the bill were to pass. MR. STANCLIFF stated yes with permission from a doctor. It would also be able to be legally used for scientific study. SENATOR THERRIAULT moved version G as the working document before the committee. Hearing no objections, the motion carried. SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH asked the penalty for possession of Schedule II drugs. MR. STANCLIFF said it depends on whether the possession is near a school ground or other different considerations. The committee should know is that it can't be grown from seeds. It is primarily grown in Mexico, California and Hawaii. SENATOR FRENCH asked what the penalty would be for buying Salvia divinorum. MR. STANCLIFF said it would be the same as it is for LSD or cocaine, which is a class C felony. 9:53:14 AM CHAIR SEEKINS called for public testimony. JACK DEGANSTEIN, Anchorage, testified in opposition to the bill. He asserted that Salvia divinorum was not a dangerous drug. He contended that the substance was not a problem and said it is primarily used in a responsible manner. He said the facts have been distorted and he has never seen evidence that it causes depression. The effects are more in the manner of providing hope and enlightenment, he stated. 9:57:27 AM CHAIR SEEKINS asked Mr. Deganstein whether it was safe to operate a car while using the drug. MR. DEGENSTEIN reported it would be impossible to operate equipment. CHRIS BEHEIM, Supervisor, Alaska State Crime Lab, offered to answer questions. He said he has been working on obtaining a sample of the ingredient so that he can do a chemical analysis of the substance. CHAIR SEEKINS closed public testimony. SENATOR THERRIAULT noted drug dealers do currently not sell Salvia divinorum because it is readily available to purchase. He said the committee should add the drug to the list of Schedule II drugs. 10:03:15 AM SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS expressed support for the bill. He moved CSSB 313(JUD) from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. Hearing no objection, the motion carried.