Fake Marijuana Outlawed

Medical professionals and law enforcement are seeing a rise in incidents involving synthetic marijuana. Last year the Drug Enforcement Agency ordered that several chemicals be listed as Schedule I substances. The DEA acted on an emergency order in order to stop the use of the synthetic marijuana, typically known as “Spice” or “K2” and other varieties of products. All are supposed to give the same reaction as marijuana, since they use chemicals that have a similar effect to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The chemicals banned by the DEA last March were JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47 and cannabicyclohexanol. The ban could be extended for six more months if the agency decides it’s necessary. This makes it illegal to sell or have these substances.

Products such as “Spice” are herbs that are laced with these compounds and are sold in convenience stores. Teens and younger adults are the main demographic that use the products. There have been instances where the users end up in the emergency room due to severe reactions to the use. Some symptoms are strong anxiety, hallucinations, and psychotic episodes. People use the synthetic drugs because they usually cannot be detected by drug testing. Service men and women in the military are also being reprimanded if they get caught using “Spice”.

Criminal Law Updates by the Law Offices of Orange County Defense Lawyer William W. Bruzzo (714) 547-4636

Related Articles

• Teen’s death officially linked to synthetic pot (ajc.com)
• Fake marijuana, ‘bath salts’ bill passes U.S. Senate (troyrecord.com)