SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California prosecutors are cracking down on kava-drinking motorists who are driving under the intoxicating influence of the herbal tea.
Kava, while not considered as a drug by federal health officials, is classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) as a nutritional supplement that can be used to relieve anxiety.
Motorists under the influence of Kava had a "thousand-yard stare", Feasel said. "They're drooling on themselves sometimes, their motor function is so bad," he added.
He said that police had pulled over kava-addled motorists who were swerving, veering into other lanes and drifting onto the road's shoulder.
"Kava basically has the opposite effect of alcohol," Feasel said. "Kava affects your motor skills before it affects your mental abilities."
