Crack down on synthetic drugs

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 13, 2012

~~<p>Hawaii is among 38 states that have outlawed synthetic marijuana and "bath salts" that mimic Ecstasy, LSD, cocaine and methamphetamine, but their popularity continues to grow. Although Congress took action on the issue in July, aggressive efforts are needed locally in response to slight chemical changes made by producers to skirt laws and market the potentially dangerous synthetic drugs. Fighting the problem will take an extensive combination of vigilance to outlaw evolving drugs and impactful education about the real dangers of these "recreational" substances, which entice teens and young adults with deceivingly benign marketing and are proliferating online.</p>
<p>Gov. Neil Abercrombie in April signed into state law Act 29, making it illegal to sell, buy or use nine families of previously legal synthetic marijuana and stimulants. In July, Congress enacted a comprehensive ban on compounds found in synthetic marijuana — called "K2" or "Spice" — or bath salts and hallucinogens, by placing them under Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act.</p>
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Hawaii is among 38 states that have outlawed synthetic marijuana and "bath salts" that mimic Ecstasy, LSD, cocaine and methamphetamine, but their popularity continues to grow. Although Congress took action on the issue in July, aggressive efforts are needed locally in response to slight chemical changes made by producers to skirt laws and market the potentially dangerous synthetic drugs. Fighting the problem will take an extensive combination of vigilance to outlaw evolving drugs and impactful education about the real dangers of these "recreational" substances, which entice teens and young adults with deceivingly benign marketing and are proliferating online.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie in April signed into state law Act 29, making it illegal to sell, buy or use nine families of previously legal synthetic marijuana and stimulants. In July, Congress enacted a comprehensive ban on compounds found in synthetic marijuana — called "K2" or "Spice" — or bath salts and hallucinogens, by placing them under Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act. Login for more...