No. Salvia divinorum is not explicitly banned in the UK, but its psychoactive constituent, salvinorin A, is controlled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, effectively prohibiting its possession, supply, and production. The Home Office classifies it as a Class A substance equivalent due to its psychoactive effects, aligning with the 2026 Home Office enforcement priorities targeting novel psychoactive substances.
Key Regulations for Salvia Divinorum in United Kingdom
- Psychoactive Substances Act 2016: Bans the production, supply, import, and export of salvinorin A, the primary psychoactive compound in Salvia divinorum, with penalties up to 7 years imprisonment.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: While the plant itself is not scheduled, extracts or preparations containing salvinorin A are treated as Class A drugs under temporary class drug orders.
- Border Force Enforcement: UK Border Force actively seizes Salvia divinorum imports under the 2026 Home Office directive, classifying it as a priority substance for interdiction at ports.
Local authorities, including the Metropolitan Police and regional drug strategy units, enforce these controls through targeted operations, often in coordination with the National Crime Agency. Retailers and online vendors face prosecution under the 2016 Act, with recent cases in 2024 highlighting strict judicial interpretation of “psychoactive effects.”