Is Salvia divinorum legal in United Kingdom?
- Legal status
- Controlled by blanket NPS law. Salvia divinorum is NOT a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; instead it is caught by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, which prohibits producing, supplying, importing or exporting any psychoactive substance for human consumption. Mechanism: BLANKET NPS (salvia is a general psychoactive substance, not individually scheduled).
- Consequences if caught
- Producing, supplying, offering to supply, importing or exporting salvia for consumption is an offence (up to 7 years). Simple possession of salvia for personal use is not itself an offence under the 2016 Act, except possession inside a custodial institution.
- If prescribed or medical
- Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A have no marketing authorisation and no recognised medical use in the UK; there is no lawful prescription route.
- Documentation
- No lawful commercial import route for human consumption; shipments of salvia leaf/extract are treated as prohibited imports and seized.
Court records
We have applied to The National Archives for the licence required to analyse Find Case Law records, and will publish outcomes once it is determined.
Source checked Find Case Law, The National Archives · 2026-08-26
Salvia divinorum in related jurisdictions
Other substances confirmed in United Kingdom
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with United Kingdom’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
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