No, Salvia divinorum is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in North Carolina under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-89.1, effective since 2019. Possession, sale, or distribution is prohibited statewide, aligning with federal DEA scheduling trends. Local law enforcement agencies, including the NC SBI’s Drug Enforcement Section, actively monitor online vendors to curb circumvention.
Key Regulations for Salvia Divinorum in North Carolina
- Schedule I Status: The substance is explicitly listed under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-89.1(37), prohibiting all non-research uses.
- Penalties: Violations carry Class I felony charges, punishable by 3–12 months imprisonment and fines up to $1,000, per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-95.
- Local Enforcement: County sheriff’s offices and municipal police departments conduct periodic compliance checks, particularly targeting head shops and online retailers shipping to NC addresses.
Recent 2026 legislative proposals aim to expand analog tracking, requiring vendors to verify customer age via state-issued IDs before online sales. The NC Department of Health and Human Services’ Controlled Substances Advisory Committee continues reviewing emerging psychoactive substances, with Salvia divinorum remaining a priority due to its misuse potential.