Congress Agrees to Add 26 Synthetic Drugs to Controlled Substances Act
Jun 19, 2012
Today DEA commended House and Senate negotiators for agreeing on legislation to control 26 synthetic drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. These drugs include those commonly found in products marketed as “K2” and “Spice.” Schedule I substances are those with a high potential for abuse; have no medical use in treatment in the United States; and lack an accepted safety for use of the drug. In addition to scheduling the 26 drugs, the new law will double the length of time a substance may be temporarily placed in Schedule I (from 18 to 36 months) and create a new definition for “cannabamimetic agents,” or similar chemical compounds are controlled.
In recent years, a growing number of dangerous products have been introduced into the U.S. marketplace. Products labeled as “herbal incense” have become especially popular, especially among teens and young adults. These products consist of plant material laced with syntheticcannabinoids which, when smoked, mimic the delirious effects of THC, the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, more than 100 such substances have been synthesized and identified to date. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that they received 6,959 calls related to synthetic marijuana in 2011, up from 2,906 in 2010.
Learn More: K2 or Spice
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Source
Drug Enforcement Administration