K-2 Revisited
Remember the article I posted about the synthetic drug K-2? No? Well, K-2 is the synthetic drug that produces a high nearly identical to that of marijuana by replicating the effects of THC, the high-producing chemical that’s found in pot. And, in the earlier article, I stated that there were no laws anywhere that regulate the manufacture, sale, or possession of the stuff.
Well, things have changed a bit since that article went online. So let’s revisit K-2, aka Spice, Space, Pep-Spice, K1, K3, K4, C1, Mr. Smiley, Genie, Smoke, Pot-pourri, Buzz, Mystery, Earthquake, Ocean Blue and Yucatan Fire.
To refresh your memory:
K2 was developed by one of Professor John Huffman’s students in a Clemson University chemistry laboratory. The student discovered the chemical while studying the effects of pharmaceuticals on the brain. The new chemical was named JWH-018 (JWH are Professor Huffman’s initials).
Professor Huffman collaborated with researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and began a study of the effects of K2 on laboratory mice. The scientists quickly noted that K2 is more potent than marijuana. However, human users say the effects, while slightly similar to marijuana, simply are not the same, nor are they as pleasant.
While routine drug tests do not screen for synthetic forms of cannabis, there are tests available for both urine and blood and they’re being used in many parts of the country to enforce DUI laws (yes, a person can be charged with DUI for driving while under the influence of K-2). It really doesn’t matter what substance impairs a person’s ability to drive. Impaired is impaired. And a person killed by someone under the influence of a legal or synthetic drug or chemical is just as dead.
At last reporting there were no laws governing K-2. Now, several states have outlawed the stuff with more set to do the same.
Alabama Illegal On April 22, 2010
Alaska Legislation proposed
Arkansas Illegal on October 26, 2010
Florida Legislation Proposed
Georgia Illegal K2 Spice is now illegal in Georgia. JWH-018 is illegal in Georgia as of July 15, 2010.
Hawaii Illegal possessing it in Hawaii became a felony on August 1, 2010
Idaho Illegal Added to controlled substances list for Idaho on 10/15/2010
Illinois Legislation Passed, Impending Enaction Date: January 1, 2011
Iowa Illegal As of July 21, 2010
Kansas Illegal In February 2010
Kentucky Illegal on April 13, 2010
Louisiana Illegal as of June 18, 2010
Maryland Illegal effective 19 November 2010
Michigan Illegal
Minnesota Municipal Restrictions Sale, possession and use is illegal or restricted in the cities of Duluth, Hermantown and Princeton.
Mississippi Illegal Bill passed by governor Hailey Barbour on September 3, 2010 banning sales and possession statewide.
Missouri Illegal As of March 28, 2010
New York Legislation Proposed
North Carolina Legislation Proposed Committee to report in 2011
North Dakota Illegal As of February 25, 2010
Oklahoma Illegal Illegal as of 11/1/2010
Oregon Illegal Illegal as of 10/15/2010
Pennsylvania Legislation Proposed The Pennsylvania House has passed a bill to ban synthetic cannabinoid chemicals
Tennessee Illegal
Texas Municipal Restrictions No state regulation, but possession and use is illegal or restricted in the cities of Allen, Cleburne, Commerce (Must be 21), Bryan, College Station, Caldwell, Kerrville, Conroe, Dallas, Denton (city, not county), Duncanville, Ennis, Frisco,Gladewater, Greenville, Irving, Kilgore, Longview, Mansfield, McKinney, Mineral Wells, Overton, Plano, Port Arthur, Troup, Tyler, Sulphur Springs, Van Alstyne, Watauga, Whitehouse and White Oak.
Utah Legislation Proposed As of March 28, 2010.
Virginia Legislation Proposed JWH-018 only.
Wisconsin Municipal Restrictions Sale, possession and use is illegal or restricted in the Cities of Eau Claire, La Crosse, Waukesha, and Milwaukee.
*Until this is sorted out, please be careful…
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Breaking News
The Drug Enforcement Administration announced today that it would use its emergency powers to ban synthetic marijuana (K-2) for one year (Huffington Post).
