Salvia in Indiana: Legal Status, Risks and Treatment
Salvia divinorum is a plant in the mint family whose leaves produce intense, short-lived hallucinations, and salvia is illegal in Indiana as a Schedule I controlled substance. Salvia is not federally controlled, so online stores in other states still sell salvia.
Salvia’s effects come on fast and leave people unaware of their surroundings, which makes injuries a real risk. Repeated salvia use to cope with stress or low mood is a sign to talk with a treatment team about the problem underneath the salvia use.
Salvia is sold as dried leaves and concentrated extracts, which people smoke, vape or chew. Extract strength varies widely between products, so the same amount of salvia produces very different effects, and that unpredictability raises the risk of a frightening experience.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana Code 35-48-2-4 lists Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A in Schedule I, the same schedule as heroin.
- Possessing salvia is a Class B misdemeanor in Indiana, and a prior drug conviction plus 5 grams or more makes it a Level 6 felony.
- Salvia’s effects appear in less than a minute and last less than 30 minutes, according to NIDA.
- The Grove Estate treats substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions in residential treatment at ASAM Level 3.5.
Did you know most health insurance plans cover substance use disorder treatment? Check your coverage online now.
Is Salvia Legal in Indiana?
No, Indiana lists Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A as Schedule I controlled substances under Indiana Code 35-48-2-4, the same schedule as heroin. Buying or possessing salvia in Indiana is illegal.
Possessing salvia is a Class B misdemeanor, and the charge rises to a Level 6 felony for someone with a prior drug conviction who has 5 grams or more (Indiana Code 35-48-4-11). Salvia penalties follow the same tiers that apply under Indiana marijuana laws.
Salvia is not a federally controlled substance, so online stores still sell salvia, but buying salvia remains illegal under Indiana drug laws.
The table below lists the 3 penalty tiers for salvia possession in Indiana.
| Possession offense | Charge | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Any amount, no prior drug conviction | Class B misdemeanor | Up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine |
| Any amount, prior drug conviction | Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine |
| 5 grams or more, prior drug conviction | Level 6 felony | 6 months to 2.5 years and a $10,000 fine |
What Are the Risks of Salvia Use?
Salvia causes an intense, short break from reality, with strong hallucinations and a loss of awareness of surroundings and body. Loss of control over movement and judgment makes injuries and accidents a real risk, and driving after salvia use is dangerous.
Call 911 if someone is injured, unresponsive or a danger to themselves after salvia use.
NIDA’s DrugFacts on salvia (2009) notes that the long-term effects of salvia use have not been studied systematically.
Salvia, like ayahuasca, is a plant-based hallucinogen.
Misconception: Salvia is safe because salvia is a natural plant.
What the evidence shows: Being a plant does not make salvia safe. Salvia produces intense disorientation that causes falls and other injuries, and a natural origin does not lower that risk.
Can Salvia Be Addictive?
Researchers have not established whether salvia causes addiction. Repeated salvia use to escape stress, anxiety or depression still signals a pattern that deserves the same attention as any other substance use.
Contact us today to schedule an initial assessment or to learn more about our services. Whether you are seeking rehab treatment or simply need guidance on your recovery journey, we are here to help.
When Is Salvia Use a Sign of a Bigger Problem?
Salvia use signals a bigger problem when salvia becomes a way to cope or continues despite frightening experiences. The 4 signs of a salvia problem are:
- Using salvia or other hallucinogens to cope with emotions.
- Using salvia more than planned.
- Mixing salvia with alcohol or other drugs.
- Having frightening experiences on salvia and using salvia anyway.
How Does The Grove Estate Help?
The Grove Estate treats substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions in residential treatment at ASAM Level 3.5 in Peru, Indiana. Every admission receives a psychiatric evaluation.
The psychiatric evaluation means the anxiety, depression or trauma behind salvia use is treated through dual diagnosis treatment. Call 765-204-1188 to speak with admissions.
Medical Director Dr. Steven Schneider, MD, a Diplomate and Fellow of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with 35 years in psychiatry, leads The Grove Estate’s medical care.
Director of Clinical Services Moriah Mercer, MSW, LSW, with 10 years in behavioral health across inpatient, psychiatric and outpatient settings, leads the clinical team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you covered for treatment?
The Grove Estate is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana, and accepts other commercial plans, such as Cigna and UnitedHealthcare, on an out-of-network basis.
Check Coverage Now!What Are the Penalties for Salvia in Indiana?
Possessing salvia is a Class B misdemeanor in Indiana. A prior drug conviction raises it to a Class A misdemeanor, and a prior conviction plus 5 grams or more makes it a Level 6 felony.
How Long Does Salvia Last?
Salvia’s effects appear in less than a minute and last less than 30 minutes, according to NIDA’s DrugFacts on salvia (2009).
Is Salvia the Same as DMT?
No. Salvinorin A, the active compound in salvia, acts on kappa opioid receptors, while DMT acts on serotonin receptors, according to a 2015 review in Frontiers in Pharmacology.
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Is Salvia Illegal Under Federal Law?
No. Salvia divinorum is not a federally controlled substance, but Indiana lists salvia in Schedule I, so possessing or selling salvia is illegal in Indiana.
References
- Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code § 35-48-2-4, Schedule I. iga.in.gov
- Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code § 35-48-4-11, “Possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia.” iga.in.gov
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2009). DrugFacts: Salvia.
- Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code §§ 35-50-3-3, 35-50-3-2 and 35-50-2-7, misdemeanor and Level 6 felony sentences.
- Butelman, E. R., & Kreek, M. J. (2015). Salvinorin A, a kappa-opioid receptor agonist hallucinogen: pharmacology and potential template for novel pharmacotherapeutic agents in neuropsychiatric disorders. Frontiers in Pharmacology. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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ADDICTION TREATMENTS IN INDIANA
Are you covered for treatment?
The Grove Estate is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana, and accepts other commercial plans, such as Cigna and UnitedHealthcare, on an out-of-network basis.
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