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.
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.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →