No. Salvia divinorum is not explicitly banned under New Zealand’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, but its primary psychoactive compound, salvinorin A, is classified as a Class C controlled drug. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 prohibits unapproved psychoactive substances, and salvinorin A falls under this scope. Enforcement agencies, including the New Zealand Police and Customs, actively monitor imports and sales.
Key Regulations for Salvia Divinorum in New Zealand
- Class C Control: Salvinorin A, the active compound in Salvia divinorum, is listed as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, rendering possession, supply, or production illegal without authorization.
- Psychoactive Substances Act 2013: Any product containing salvinorin A is deemed an unapproved psychoactive substance, prohibiting its sale, distribution, or importation under the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority’s oversight.
- Customs Enforcement: The New Zealand Customs Service and Ministry of Health enforce strict border controls, seizing shipments of Salvia divinorum or salvinorin A-containing products at ports of entry.
Recent compliance shifts, including the 2026 review of the Psychoactive Substances Act, may further restrict synthetic or naturally derived psychoactive plants, tightening regulatory scrutiny on Salvia divinorum.