Hallucinogenic herb being processed by Carson business

Local officials were surprised recently to learn that a Carson City business that processes a hallucinogenic herb outlawed in seven states, was up and running in Carson City.

Salvia divinorum, outlawed in Mississippi, Delaware, Louisiana, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and Tennessee, is a perennial herb native to certain areas of the Sierra Mazateca region of Oaxaca, Mexico, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Salvia can be purchased in California by those 18 or older. Its effects have been described as similar to LSD or psychedelic mushrooms.

On Friday, as part of business license inspections, Fire Chief Stacey Giomi said an inspector visited Club 13 in the Conestoga Business Center and discovered a 55-gallon drum of ethyl alcohol was improperly ventilated and stored.

After a warning, inspectors returned Monday to find that the company had adequately met the requirements of the fire code.

It was during the course of the inspection that law enforcement learned that Club 13 processes the powerful natural hallucinogenic, not restricted by either city or state law.

Known by names such as Maria Pastora, Diviner Sage, Seer Sage or just salvia, the herb is one of several vision-inducing plants employed by the Mazatec Indians, according to the DEA.

Either smoked or chewed, users reach the most intense peak within a minute or so of consumption.

The high lasts for about one to five minutes and gradually tapers off. Its effects, in a milder form, can be felt for several hours after consumption, according to sagewisdom.org, which describes itself as the Salvia Divinorum Research and Information Center.

On the Club 13 business license issued to president Brian Del Re of St. Augustine, Fla., in July, Del Re lists the activities of the business as "herbal blends and extracts for incense."

A Web site under the same name, and also registered to Del Re, does not list incense for sale, but offers the herb in various forms and strengths.

Del Re was insistent that the product created in the Carson City facility is used to create incense.

When asked if a person sitting in the room while the incense burned would become intoxicated, Del Re said, "no comment."

Deputy City Manager Walt Sullivan said that because salvia divinorum is not illegal, there would be no grounds upon which to deny Club 13 a license.

However, Sullivan, admittedly not familiar with Club 13 or its product, said "there is a provision in city code in the business license section that basically states that if you don't tell the truth (in requesting a license), we can bring your license back up, review it and possibly deny it."

Del Re hoped this article conveyed "the truth" about the oft-misunderstood herb.

"What I always ask is that you please express that this product is not addictive, there's no habit-forming characteristics to it," Del Re said. "The solid majority of people using salvia are people who are just trying to find themselves in the privacy of their own home. They are not going to protest for it. When it's outlawed, it's just going to be the quiet ones who have their rights taken away because of the think-of-the-children mentality of state legislators."

Del Re said in his experience most users are in their 30s and 40s.

A search on the Internet would seem to suggest otherwise. Hundreds of uploaded video show young adults under the influence of salvia divinorum while surrounded by friends finding the subject's trip amusing.

Del Re said it's curiosity that brings people to the herb, but that the high is too unique for some.

"The repeat use of this product is probably a little south of 10 percent. Some people like it. Some people hate it," he said.

- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.