Lawmaker hopes to halt spread of 'fake weed'
Monday, August 09, 2010
By Ashley Mannings, Special to the Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- It goes by several names, like K2 or Wicked or Spice or Genie.
Whatever it's called, it's dangerous, says a state legislator from Lehigh County, who wants to make the substance, a type of synthetic marijuana, illegal in Pennsylvania.
"Mistaking something that is legal for safe is a big mistake," said Democratic Rep. Jennifer Mann, referring to the substance that is legally sold as incense, but which teens are smoking to receive a marijuana-like high that is undetectable in drug testing.
Ms. Mann has legislation, House Bill 176, to outlaw the possession, sale, use or distribution of K2 or whatever other street name it may go by. The penalties would be the same as those for marijuana violations. Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Missouri already have outlawed the drug.
In Pennsylvania, Ms. Mann said, it's time for "young people to understand there are risks and for parents to know the drug exists."
K2 is a mixture of herbal and spice plant products sprayed with a potent psychotropic drug that is comparable to THC found in marijuana, she said.
Although there aren't any in-depth studies of the effect of K2 on humans, symptoms that have been reported include vomiting, stomach pains, seizures, anxiety and hallucinations.
Last week, the The Patriot-News of Harrisburg reported that a 17-year-old boy went unconscious and experienced body spasms after smoking a form of K2.
Sold as Wicked, Spice, Genie and many other counterfeit brand names, it can be bought at head shops and online for around $30 to $40 per three-gram bag.
"I don't know anyone who pays that much just to burn incense in their home," Ms. Mann said.
In 1995, a research student of professor John W. Huffman at Clemson University synthesized a chemical compound that is sprayed on incense to give users their high.
In an e-mail message, Dr. Huffman stated, "It is simply one of my many compounds, synthesized by my group and others, for the purpose of investigating the relationship between chemical structure and biological activity."
He added that it should not be used as a recreational drug.
Warning labels on the bag read "not for human consumption" but it seems the warnings are being ignored, as news reports from around the country are documenting the negative effects.
An investigation is under way in Iowa to find out if an 18-year-old committed suicide after using the drug.
After consulting with the directors of emergency units at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, media relations director Susan Manko said there have been no reports of medical emergencies believed to be caused by K2 at any of the UPMC hospitals.
"This is such a new substance that there are no federal laws relating to it, and that's the reason for this bill," said Ms. Mann. "There are serious health risks."
A co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, said that while the Legislature has a lot to worry about, such as budget deficits, rising pension costs and transportation costs, K2 should also be on the agenda.
"Unless the medical community comes out and says it has proven benefits, I say we don't need more problems," Mr. Kortz said. "We have enough."
With the current two-year legislative session ending Nov. 30, Ms. Mann does not expect immediate action on the bill, but hopes to get children and parents talking about the issue and to build awareness.
"We're going to begin the conversation and work toward banning this substance," she said.
Ashley Mannings is an intern with the Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents Association.
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