Proposal would outlaw consumption of landscaping herb

A proposal making its way through the Tennessee legislature would make a mint-like herb illegal for consumption while keeping it lawful for landscaping purposes.

The bill's sponsor, state Representative Parkey Strader, said students in his Knox County district use the leaves of the plant for mood-altering purposes.

The plant, known by its street name Maria Pastora, is on the US Drug Enforcement Administration's "drugs of concern" list, but is not illegal.

The DEA says the plant can be chewed or smoked to induce hallucinations.

Strader agreed to delay House action on the bill for a week while sorting out some questions posed by fellow legislators. The Senate version is scheduled for a floor vote Thursday.