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“Spice” Bill Unanimously Passes Florida House
April 18, 2013
Wednesday, the Florida House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill which bans 27 synthetic drugs commonly known as “spice,” “K2” or “bath salts.” Previously marketed as legal alternatives to illicit drugs like cocaine and marijuana, these compounds can cause extreme side effects including paranoia, hallucinations, seizures and psychotic episodes.
“Synthetic drugs are a major problem for children and young adults across the country, and that’s why I’m proud to have sponsored a bill that keeps these toxic compounds out of Florida stores and off our streets,” said Rep. Clay Ingram (R-Pensacola), who sponsored HB 619. “I constantly hear from parents, physicians and law enforcement officials who have personally witnessed the devastating effects of drugs like ‘spice’ and ‘bath salts’.”
“Synthetic drugs are destroying the lives of Floridians, particularly our youth, and it is critical that we remove these deadly substances from store shelves,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I applaud Representative Ingram for his support of this important public safety legislation.”
Although the Florida legislature outlawed a group of synthetic drugs in 2011, chemists – who often operate from overseas labs – have begun to alter their chemical formulas in an effort to skirt existing law.
In response, Bondi issued a temporary order last December that banned an additional group of synthetic substances; the bill approved Wednesday formalizes that emergency order — adding 27 compounds to Schedule I of the controlled substances statute — and makes it a third-degree felony for an individual to “sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver” the newly-banned substances.
SB 294 unanimously passed the Florida Senate on April 4, 2013 and will now be considered by Governor Rick Scott.
Comments
12 Responses to ““Spice” Bill Unanimously Passes Florida House”
This is a waste of time, because they will just change the formula slightly to get around a list of the banned chemicals. Its what they always do and have done for a long time now.
The solution is to legalise marijuana , so people can smoke something natural and not resort to using unknown chemicals
Many people use this to get around drug tests and because at the time it was not against the law (compared to marijuana)
So the laws in place actually make use of this even more popular
Just curious as to WHY “Just Me” STARTED to use MY screen name??????? Why not pick YOUR own???? I noticed this a while back and am curious as to why this is allowed…….
As an Emergency Room Nurse, I can tell you first hand that this synthetic junk is the worst thing that has ever come along, its man-made for one thing and has chemicals in it that completely destroy the body. Im tired of seeing people coming into the ER in complete respiratory arrest because of it and we are fortunate enough to revive them only to see them again next week. People don’t get me wrong, I have never been a drug user of any sort and that includes marijuana, but I would rather see someone smoke a bail of marijuana than to take a single drag from SPICE. It is absolutely killing our kids…..You can actually look at someone and tell they are smoking SPICE and will see them change in appearance in a matter of weeks, its disturbing that its taken this long to get this crap out of these convenience stores. We all know where the stores are around here that was selling it, Amazing no gas pumps at that store the prices are higher there but the parking lot was always full……………….making a profit off of killing our kids..Glad to see it happen but they will have to watch em cause they are still selling it to there regulars and yes we know it
Now if we could just get our sheriff to enforce these laws and get this crap off our streets and out of the schools. Maybe we will see some action come election time…
I’m happy to hear this. I wish they would be able to wipe it out of each store that carries it. All of it. Not just the banned substances. It seems like every ban they get the chemist come up with more chemicals to make it with. I have seen the effects of it and it does mess with peoples heads and they do not know it because they are using it. It is very sad. Friendships , families all torn apart because this chemical drug grabs a hold of the person and doesn’t let go. As much as people say spice and bath salts are two different things and they are somewhat right but also somewhat wrong. Spice does have some common effects that Bath salts do. Paranoia, Delusions, High emotions, loss of control and addiction all that is common ground. Spice might not be as bad in some peoples eyes but each person is affected differently.
>> But still legal to possess for personal use?
I sent your question to Clay Ingram’s office, and here is the answer from his assistant:
“In response to the question, possessing three grams or less of listed synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones (not in powdered form) is a first degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a maximum $1,000 fine.”
“[M]akes it a third-degree felony for an individual to ’sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver’ the newly-banned substances.” But still legal to possess for personal use? Kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?
This is great, there are so many teenagers doing this stuff and it is horrible. I do know that there is a store in Cantonment that is still selling this stuff.
“Why are we still lumping cocaine and marijuana?”
In this article, they use them together because the last time I checked, both are illegal to possess and use. They are simply stating that until this bill, spice and etc…were still legal for all the junkies to still achieve psychological effects of drugs. Most people know that there is a difference in effects of cocaine and marijuana. But really the end result is the same. The addicts use their drug of choice for the “feeling” they achieve and psychological changes. Marijuana may not have as severe side effects, but remains an illegal substance and should remain that way.
Ok I’m sure someone will take this the wrong way, however I still must ask the question. Why are we still lumping cocaine and marijuana together? Even the “spice” vs “bath salts”??? They are nothing alike!! People who on drugs even know there is a huge differents side affects!! Don’t get me wrong as a life long Marijuana advocate, I am not comparing the “spice” to marijuana, however those two are No way comparable to the “bath salts” meth, it cocaine!!! It’s time for changes in the government with this issue!!
Willam im confused does this mean its legal here in fl
That is awesome! That “spice” mess can cause irreversible psychological damage. Whomever came up with these alternatives should be ashamed of themselves.