The owner of Exotica continues to challenge the legality of a ticket he received in March for selling Salvia divinorum, a short-term hallucinogen.

But Christian Firoz will no longer sell the herb at his store at 2441 N. 48th St.

In March, Lincoln police ticketed Firoz at Exotica, citing a state statute that prohibits Nebraskans from selling compounds that induce an intoxicated or mind-altering state.

There is no law in Nebraska that specifically bans the sale of Salvia. Firoz has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Firoz, who made an appearance in Lancaster County Court on Tuesday in the case, said he had received confirmation from Nebraska officials as recently as 2006 that Salvia was legal to sell and smoke.

But he won’t force the issue at his store, he said Monday in a written statement.

“Due to the confusion of Lincoln and Omaha city attorneys with interpreting the specific violation of selling Salvia, Exotica has volunteered to stop selling Salvia, as we feel this is the best interest to the company and the Lincoln community,” Firoz wrote. 

He is set for trial in January.