Legless legal loophole

Herbal High is as strong as strains of skunk cannabis, according to leading scientists. ‘Herbal Highs’ such as Spice Gold and Salvia divinorum are coming under scrutiny by the government as to whether or not they should continue to be legal in this country.

The European Drugs Conference in Lisbon was told earlier this month that some ‘legal highs’ are not as mild as once thought after research from the THC Pharma Laboratory in Germany was presented to them showing how the drugs contain synthesised stimulants or hallucinogens. Spice, which is available in strengths gold and diamond, has already been banned in Germany, Austria and France and is now under debate by the government concerning the issue of whether they should follow suit. The debate comes after Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, requested that other ‘legal highs’ including Salvia should have their legal status discussed.

In the past decade more substances have become available with MDMA-like effects and their detection and legal classification is often difficult. This point was made by Les King, former head of the Forensic Science Service’s drugs intelligence unit, who presented the findings in Lisbon. Spice and Salvia divinorum still retain their legal status in the United Kingdom however users should be prepared for that to change in the near future.