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PDEA warns public vs 'Peyote'

Philippines | National

PDEA warns public vs 'Peyote'

By Chito Chavez

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) warned the public against the proliferation of "Peyote”, which it said, has a dangerous hallucinogenic substance as it warned of legal consequences of selling illegal drugs online.

PDEA issued he warning following reports that Peyote cacti are commercially available on local online shopping platforms.

Director General Isagani Nerez said "Peyote", also known as “Lophophora Williamsii’’ contains “mescaline” which produces powerful hallucinogenic effects that can severely impair judgment and perception.

“Users may experience intense nausea, vomiting, dilation of pupils, headaches, muscle weakness and loss of motor coordination,’’ Nerez noted.

Nerez stated that “mescaline” is classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165 or “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”, and is listed as a controlled substance under the 1971 United Nations Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

He pointed out that it can be taken mainly by oral ingestion of fresh or dried cacti and may also be grounded into powder then placed in gelatin capsules or smoked with cannabis or tobacco.

“When abused, mescaline can cause varying degrees of illusions, hallucinations, distorted sense of body, and altered perception of space and time, effects that can lead to accidents, self-harm and unpredictable behavior”, Nerez explained.

Historically, the PDEA said that “Peyote” cactus has been used for centuries in indigenous practices by native Americans and Mexicans.

“The public must understand that “Peyote” is not an ornamental plant but a source of dangerous drugs. Being sold online either as smuggled contraband or cultivated locally, these cacti are deliberately pushed into online markets to evade detection. We urge the public to immediately report any sightings or suspected sale of this deadly plant in their localities,” Nerez warned.

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