I thought there were like 4 other ways to get the same high weed gives you and most of them are not actually illegal. I think nutmeg does the same thing when it's smoked.
I've heard mixed things about nutmeg. Some people say it gives you a high like pot, but weaker. Some say it makes you trip for 12+ hours. Most say that it takes an incredibly large amount to feel anything.
Salvia might be one of the things you're talking about. It's a common misconception that salvia is like pot. Most people who talk about salvia don't know what they're talking about. 90% of people who smoke salvia don't do it right.
I've done nutmeg, and it makes you fucking stupid if you do it right. I would heat it up and then parachute so many tablespoons worth. I don't recommend trying it, because I was 15 and it was a stupid idea. I ended up feeling more like shit than I did high.