Harper Government Takes Action to Protect Families

News Release
2011-29
February 21, 2011
For immediate release

Factsheet: Salvia Divinorum

OTTAWA - Today, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, and MP Shelly Glover (Saint Boniface), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, announced on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, the Harper Government’s proposed intention to include Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A, also known as Salvia, as controlled substances. A Notice to Interested Parties outlining Health Canada’s proposal was published in Canada Gazette, Part I, on February 19, 2011.

“After reviewing Canadian surveillance data and scientific reports that suggest this substance has the potential for abuse, especially among young people, we are taking these steps to protect the health and safety of Canadians from the harmful effects of this substance,” said Minister Paradis.

“As a mother and police officer, I am pleased to see our Government take action to help parents protect their children from this dangerous substance,” said P.S. Glover. 

The Notice to Interested Parties proposes that Salvia divinorum and its main active ingredient salvinorin A be added to Schedule III to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This means that activities such as possession, trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, importation, exportation, possession for the purpose of exportation, and production (or cultivation) would be illegal unless authorized by regulation. The scheduling of Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A as a controlled substance would also enable law enforcement agencies to take action against suspected illegal activities involving these substances.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit any comments regarding the Notice to Interested Parties by March 21, 2011.

For more information on Salvia divinorum and the risks associated with its use, please see It’s Your Health.

Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface, Shelly Glover, announces on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, the Harper Government's proposed intention to include Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A, also known as Salvia, as controlled substances in Canada, Monday, February 21, 2011, in Winnipeg. (David Lipnowski/The Canadian Press Images).

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