The proponents of the bill included Senator Peggy Mast; Tom Stanton, Kansas County and District Attorneys Association; and Teresa Walters, Emporians for Drug Awareness. Representative Coursey said he heard about the drug in talking with youth group leaders in Western Kentucky who encouraged him to file the legislation. South Central District Judge Tom Schneider imposed a three-year deferred imposition of sentence for the salvia and drug paraphernalia charges and a two-year deferred imposition of sentence for the marijuana charge. Also in that month, on March 9, 2007, House Bill 3784, was introduced by Representative Tan Parker (R). It is a gateway drug, like salvia could be a gateway drug," [54] and "We decided to move forward rather than waiting for someone to be killed because of it.

After the law had passed, it was reported that Attorney General Jim Hood was sending warnings to Mississippi business owners that it was no longer legal to sell Salvia divinorum. The Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCNet) reported that it had contacted Republican lawmakers, state Sens. Multiple, strong dividing stems, with a self-supporting growth habit, carry simple, fragrant, broad leaves, with candelabra-fashion arrays of protruding, snow-white flowers opening along their lengths.

In the wild it is found in northern Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and south-western Spain, usually between 500-1200 meters. As of July 1, 2010, Georgia code lists salvinorin A as a dangerous drug, prohibiting its sale, distribution, and possession. Although it superficially appears to be one of the tender salvias, this plant seems to be completely hardy, dying down safely underground each winter, and has stood minus 10 C (14 F) here. Crouch's proposal would make the manufacture, sale or possession with intent to deliver salvia a Class B felony, carrying a potential penalty of 6 to 20 years. The blossoms are unusually attractive and profuse, making this salvia plant a favorite for late-season container gardens.

In February 2009, representatives voted was 67–2 in favour of House Bill 1090 which proposed adding Salvia divinorum to South Dakota's controlled substances list. These seeds were produced by a grower in the US who carefully hand pollinates the flowers (a tedious process). On January 28, 2008, Councilwoman Belinda Conaway (D), together with several fellow Democrat cosponsors, introduced Bill No. In contrast to the more restrictive House bills, the Senate bill simply proposed an age restriction—prohibiting the sale of Salvia divinorum to persons younger than 18 years of age.

On January 13, 2008, it was reported that State Representative Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville) was proposing a bill that wants Indiana law rewritten to declare Salvia divinorum a Schedule 1 controlled substance. John Lim has been quoted as saying—"From what I understand this drug is at least as dangerous as marijuana or LSD", and Seth Hatmaker, a spokesman for Lim—"I think it's only a matter of time before we find people addicted to this stuff". A moderate dose produces a gentle expansion of consciousness that is useful for inner-journeying and self-exploration; this can also have an extraordinary memory enhancing effect that can provide access to incredibly detailed memories stretching back into early childhood (clearly this has therapeutic potential).

However, the actions of people under the influence of salvinorin A could lead to serious harm (running, falling, drowning, crashing a vehicle, etc.Colburn noted the hundreds of thousands of videos posted on the Web site YouTube showing people under salvia's influence, saying, "It's nothing short of disturbing.