Following in the footsteps of Britain, Poland, Chile, Austria, Germany, France and Russia, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) used its emergency powers last week to ban "K2", "Spice" and other synthetic products that mimic the effects of marijuana.
The DEA's emergency action - used to address emergent threats to public health - makes it illegal to possess or sell the five chemicals typically used to make the fake pot for at least a year. The feds will then determine whether the substances should be permanently added to the Schedule I list of controlled substances considered unsafe, highly abused and without medical use.
Smokable herbal blends marketed as being "legal" and providing a marijuana-like high, have become increasingly popular among teens and young adults. These products consist of plant material that has been coated with chemicals that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, and are sold at a variety of retail outlets, in head shops and over the Internet. These chemicals, however, have not been approved by the FDA for human consumption and there is no oversight of the manufacturing process. Brands such as "Spice," "K2," "Blaze," and "Red X Dawn" are labeled as incense to mask their intended purpose.
Young people on Long Island have bragged about using synthetic marijuana to avoid detection during drug testing and at least one local head shop is strategically located in close proximity to a methadone clinic.
Absent federal action until now, several states have taken steps to ban K2 and LICADD has been active in pushing for such a ban here in New York. Opposition to a ban on synthetic marijuana has been scant, though the NYC-based Drug Policy Alliance issued this statement following DEA"s announcement:
"If K2 were banned outright, young adults could face immediate, devastating and life-long legal barriers to education, employment, voting and government benefits for K2-related drug law violations, despite a lack of evidence of harm to themselves or others." Really?
How about the fact that health warnings have been issued by numerous state public health departments and poison control centers describing the adverse health effects associated with synthetic cannabinoids including agitation, anxiety, vomiting, tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, seizures, hallucinations and non-responsiveness? How about the case reports describing psychotic episodes, withdrawal, and dependence associated with use of these synthetic cannabinoids, similar to syndromes observed in cannabis abuse?
The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) reports receiving over 2,200 calls related to synthetic pot from 48 states and the District of Columbia.
Bravo to the DEA for finally acting; you can check out their rule here.
LICADD is looking for an experienced mental health professional to work in our Ronkonkoma and Riverhead offices. You'll conduct screenings, brief interventions and make referrals to treatment, run pre-treatment groups for adolescents and facilitate family education sessions. Evening & weekend hours are a must. MSW required; LCSW and/or CASAC preferred. Please send a resume and cover letter, including salary requirements ASAP to 
