Number
100625
Version
Substitute 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. Donovan, HINES, MURPHY, COGGS, DAVIS AND PUENTE
Title
A substitute ordinance prohibiting the possession, sale and use of synthetic marijuana.
Sections
105-50 cr
Analysis
This ordinance prohibits the possession, sale and use of synthetic marijuana.
Body
Whereas, The open sale of synthetic marijuana - commonly known as “K-2”, “Spice”, or by other street names at convenience stores and other retailers, and the public consumption and use of so-called incense products and herbal potpourris is on the rise; and
Whereas, These synthetic marijuana products - which sell for as much as $40 a gram - are believed to be potpourri-like blends of herbs and marijuana-derivatives formulated in research labs as scientists study their possible therapeutic use (e.g., pain management for cancer patients) and promise users an intoxicating, “legal” high every bit as good as natural marijuana that will not show up on employer drug screens; and
Whereas, The marijuana derivatives used in these synthetic marijuana products have yet to be tested by the FDA and certified as safe for human consumption, and because they are sold as incense or potpourri there is no health or quality assurance regulation to ensure these products are safe; and
Whereas, Some scientific articles indicate synthetic marijuana may be between 3 and 100 time more potent than natural marijuana with longer duration; and
Whereas, The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports 567 synthetic marijuana related calls in the first 6 months of 2010, up from only 13 in 2009: and
Whereas, The National Drug Intelligence Center of the U.S. Department of Justice indicates the adverse effects of synthetic marijuana, when smoked, include panic attacks, elevated pulse and blood pressure, intense hallucinations, and in some cases, seizures; and
Whereas, Users of these synthetic marijuana potpourri products often present in emergency roo...
Click here for full text