The legislature can get things done eventually

Three years ago Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing had several conversations with local teens that enlightened him to a growing problem — the availability of salvia divinorum to Alabama’s youth.

Salvia is a drug that produces similar effects to LSD and marijuana.

Rushing realized the problem and began a campaign to remove the drug, which at the time was legal to purchase and consume, from Alabama.

It took a while, but Rushing’s mission was accomplished this week as the state legislature passed a law making possession of salvia a misdemeanor and selling salvia a felony.

Yes, the political process did take a long time — three years. But it worked and a potentially dangerous drug is now illegal.

Many people these days are fed up with the government and want the problems fixed immediately. Unfortunately, some problems are too complex to fix in a couple of days.

There are some issues that need to be fixed, such as school funding. The legislature is looking for a solution, it just needs time.

Things can get done in Montgomery — the salvia ban proves things can happen. Eventually.