NAGBABALA ang Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) sa publiko na bawal i-consume ang tinatawag na “Peyote” (scientific name Lophophora williamsii), isang spineless cactus na may Mescaline substance, na laganap na nabibili online.

Ayon kay PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez, parang regular item ang banned substance na ito na madaling mabili sa mga online shopping platforms.

Classified na “dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165, or “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” ang Mescaline, ayon sa PDEA chief.

Bawal din ito ayon sa 1971 United Nations Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

“Mescaline” 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,” dagdag ng PDEA chief.

Mako-consume ang drogang ito sa pamamagitan ng paglulon o ihalo sa powder, ilagay sa gelatin capsules o singhutin kasabay ng 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,” babala ni Nerez.

Ayon sa history books, centuries na ang binilang na ginagamit ang “Peyote” ng mga native Americans at Mexicans na noo’y iisang bansa lang.

“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,” apela ng PDEA chief.