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OKINAWA, Japan - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will soon impose a temporary ban on the chemicals used to make synthetic marijuana products such as, “Spice,” “K2,” “Blaze,” and “Red X Dawn.”
The chemicals that compose many of the products have been designated as Schedule One substances, which is the most restrictive category reserved for unsafe, highly-abused substances with zero medical benefit.
This will take effect in less than 30 days when the DEA is expected to publish in the Federal Register a final ruling to control these chemicals for 12 months, with a possible extension.
“This is a positive change because it takes Spice out of the ‘limbo’ state it was in for a while,” said Dave Ralston, drug demand reduction coordinator for Marine Corps Community Services. “This will give law enforcement across the board more of a leg to stand on when dealing with Spice, and more concrete penalties for being caught with the drug.”
This action will make possessing and selling these chemicals or the products that contain them illegal in the U.S. for at least one year while the DEA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services further study whether these chemicals and products should be permanently controlled.
“Anything that impairs judgment can be abused,” Ralston said. “If you’re impaired in any way while operating weapons or machinery, it hurts the whole group, not only the individual.”
In the past, herbal blends that provide a marijuana-like high, have been sold at various shops on Okinawa as well as on the internet.
These products consist of a variety of herbal blends coated with research chemicals that mimic tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known as THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, said Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael C. Burke, chief investigator, Criminal Investigation Division, Camp Butler Provost Marshal’s Office.
Americans look to the DEA to protect their children and communities from those who would exploit them, said DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart, in a DEA news release.
“Makers of these harmful products mislead their customers into thinking that ‘fake pot’ is a harmless alternative to illegal drugs, but that is not the case. Today’s action will call further attention to the risks of ingesting unknown compounds and will hopefully take away any incentive to try these products,” she added.
The ban was brought on by the rising number of reports from poison centers, hospitals and law enforcement regarding these products since 2009. Fifteen states have already taken action to control one or more of these chemicals.
“The biggest misconception about Spice is that it is a legal alternative to marijuana,” said Brandon McKinnon, a special agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, here. “Spice is a dangerous, uncontrolled substance that has unpredictable effects when abused to include suicidal ideations, panic attacks and shortness of breath.”
The individual using Spice or similar products also affects those close to him or her, McKinnon commented.
“This becomes a morale issue for all Marines on Okinawa, not just the Marines punished for their involvement with Spice,” he said. “In addition, it affects military readiness by putting a burden on other Marines and commands.”
Marines struggling with an addiction to Spice or similar products need to contact their unit substance abuse control officer to be recommended to treatment or counseling.
To learn more about the ban, visit www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr112410.html.
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2011 21:00 |
| Story ID: | 63328 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, DEA to impose ban on chemicals; Spice slated as Schedule One drug, by Cpl Abigail Brown, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
