Senate passes ban on synthetic marijuana
By Trent Artus
Madison (Press Release) — The State Senate has passed legislation banning the manufacture, possession and distribution of synthetic marijuana. The legislation was introduced by State Senator Bob Jauch (D.Poplar) after hearing about the spread of synthetic marijuana from law enforcement officials last fall.
"Local governments and law enforcement officials in northern Wisconsin are very concerned with the dangers associated with the use of unregulated synthetic marijuana, also sold as herbal incense under names like K2 and Spice," said Jauch. "Instead of forcing each county to create individual ordinances banning the drug, I was asked by law enforcement officials to work on legislation creating a statewide ban."
The drug does not show up on conventional tests, making it popular with people who are subject to drug testing. That combined with the intense high associated with the drug has increased usage throughout country. Serious physical and psychological damage may result from the use of the drug, including hallucinations, paranoia, seizures, vomiting and severe flashbacks. The increase usage of the drug led to a dramatic increase in calls to poison control centers around the country in 2010. Because it is difficult to detect the drug through blood tests, this bill focuses on the possession, manufacture and sale of the drug.
"Because the recipe for synthetic marijuana is constantly changing, you can't list a fixed number of chemicals to ban or we will never be able to completely ban it. This bill will list the drugs as Schedule 1 controlled substances, with enough flexibility for any slight modifications to the chemical make up of the drugs. These are toxic chemicals and it is important we act quickly and uniformly to limit their spread," said Jauch.
In November of last year the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency enacted an emergency ban of five chemicals used in herbal blends to make synthetic marijuana. "The DEA effort is an important step, but because producers can quickly reformulate their products, it is important we act more broadly at the state level, just as 12 other states have already done."
"While I am optimistic that the federal government will enact a comprehensive, permanent ban on the drug at some point, Wisconsin can't afford to wait. Enacting a statewide ban will help our law enforcement officials manage this growing problem right now, before it gets out hand" said Jauch.
