Criminal Apostate Virginia House of Delegates Disgraces itself before God Again!

Votes 98-0 to violate Freedom of Medicine and Diet with another criminal prohibition of a Gift from God- Salvia Divinorum, in violation of the 9th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

Salvia Divinorum: Virginia House Passes Ban

Printer Friendly Version Email this Article

from Drug War Chronicle, Issue #519, 1/18/08

A bill to ban the hallucinogenic herb salvia divinorum was approved by a vote of 98-0 in the Virginia House of Delegates Tuesday, paving the way for the Old Dominion to join the handful of states and localities that have already criminalized the member of the mint family. The measure now moves to the state senate.

Salvia leaves
(photo courtesy Erowid.org)

Salvia divinorum produces powerful but short-lived psychedelic effects. Once obscure, it has become increasingly well-known thanks to Internet-spread word of mouth. While the DEA considers it a "drug of interest," the agency has yet to move to designate it a controlled substance, and it remains freely available over the Internet or at various retail outlets in locales that have not banned it.

Sponsored by Delegate John O'Bannon (R-Henrico), HB21 would move salvia from unrestricted status to a Schedule I controlled substance under Virginia law. O'Bannion said he introduced the bill after receiving suggestions he do so from law enforcement.

"It's really not a pleasant thing to take. It can cause bad trips, dysphoria and sweats," O'Bannon said. [At what dose?]

Which is why, despite all the hullabaloo, salvia has not emerged as a popular drug. Most users are quite happy to limit themselves to using it once or twice.

O'Bannon demonstrated an idiosyncratic view of individual liberties as he discussed his bill. O'Bannon said. "I'm respectful of individual liberties and public good. I think what's happening is this is becoming a drug that can be misused,""Putting it on the Schedule I will not harm anybody," he said, but would make "a reasonable balance between public safety and civil individual liberties."

Of course, putting salvia on Schedule I, where its users would be subject to the same prison terms as the users of other proscribed drugs, would harm those people unfortunate enough to be arrested with it. But O'Bannion and his fellow delegates apparently didn't consider the impact that being caged in jails or prisons for long periods of time has on individual liberty.

Drug War Issues Salvia Divinorum

Politics & Advocacy State & Local Legislatures

Something can be misused, so it's mere possession is made into a "felony".

That's some "logic". Where would that leave just about anything from knives, hammers, bricks and guns?

John O'Bannon

Delegate O'Bannon bears false wittness by stating that kidnapping people and extorting their liberties will not hurt anyone.

He further bears false witness on his web site where he claims:

Dr. John O’Bannon is a lifelong Virginian who has dedicated himself to caring for others...

John is a national leader in improving the medical profession. He is a leader in the American Medical Association where he serves as a member of the Council for Ethical and Judicial Affairs. Here in Virginia, John is a past Chairman of the Board of the Richmond Academy of Medicine. He has also been a past Chairman of the Medical Society of Virginia’s Legislative Committee where he helped pass the Virginia Patients Bill of Rights.

He is only caring for the twisted elements who would continue this shameful pharmacratic inquisition.

Considering that this is in a State up to its neck in promoting deadly bright leaf cigarettes, this action is just another criminal act of mercantilism.

Virginia with its Delegates voting 100% in favor of such illegalities, is definitely NOT Christian, and is utterly apostate to the values of Thomas Jefferson, who designed the building in which they convene.

Virginia House of Delegates