Showing posts with label synthetic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label synthetic. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Bill would ban basic compounds behind synthetic drugs like bath salts, spice


About HB 2327:
• Author: Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert.
• Key provision: Would expand the state's definition of dangerous drugs to include chemical configurations that typically compose synthetic cannabinoids and bath salts.
• Status: Endorsed by the House Judiciary Committee and headed to the floor by way of the Rules Committee.
PHOENIX – It’s become a pattern as state lawmakers try to address synthetic drugs such as bath salts or spice: Almost as soon as one recipe is outlawed, manufacturers simply change to a mix that isn’t banned.
Hoping to get ahead of that cycle, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is out to ban the basic chemical formulas underlying such drugs.
“Imagine a Christmas tree. You can change one of the bulbs on the lights and it’s a little different, but it’s the same tree,” said Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert. “This bill would just outlaw the Christmas tree.”
Farnsworth said that chemists have identified the most basic formulas used to create synthetic drugs. HB 2327 would ban those basic formulas so the substances are always illegal despite any alteration.
He said he avoided banning any formula that had a legitimate commercial use, such as the recipes for cleaning supplies.
Continue to read here

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Indiana Board of Pharmacy Rule Change


Synthetic Drug Emergency Rules

Synthetic Drug Emergency Rules
Indiana Code 25-26-13-4.1 gives the Indiana Board of Pharmacy the authority to adopt emergency rules declaring a substance to be a synthetic drug if the substance has been scheduled or emergency scheduled by the DEA or scheduled, emergency scheduled, or criminalized by another state.
Controlled substances listed in IC 35-48-2-4 are included in Schedule I. “Synthetic drugs,” as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-321, are listed as Schedule I drugs under IC 35-48-2-4(d)(35). Indiana Code 35-31.5-2-321(9) includes in the definition of synthetic drug “any compound determined to be a synthetic drug by rule adopted under IC 25-26-13-4.1.”
The Indiana Board of Pharmacy has promulgated the following emergency rules in accordance with IC 35-26-13-4.1:
LSA #12-493(E)

Monday, December 31, 2012

The Year in Synthetic Drugs Posted on December 31, 2012 by tothemaximus

Dirk Hanson has a lot of things to say about synthetic drugs in 2012.  This is his year in review:

To read his review click here

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Millions in cash and property seized from alleged synthetic drug sellers

7:07 AM, Dec 22, 2012

A Ducati motorcycle, property in northern California, guns and millions in cash are among the assets federal authorities have seized from scores of suspected peddlers of synthetic drugs.
Court documents filed in the case reveal large sums of money that, prosecutors say, were gained from selling dangerous chemicals marketed as incense but meant to be consumed as a drug.
In all, 21 local shop owners, managers and employees were indicted by a federal grand jury early this month in the first-of-its-kind roundup of those suspected of selling synthetic marijuana in Springfield, Joplin and elsewhere.
In less than three years, one family-owned business is alleged to have made nearly $7 million. The Franklins, authorities say, created a business that mailed synthetic drugs to head shops throughout southwest Missouri.
Douglas K. Franklin and his son Brandon D. Franklin, of Springfield, stuffed bank accounts across the country, according to court documents filed against them.
Almost $700,000 was transferred to an account for Hellbender Meadery, a honey wine store Caitlyn E. Franklin was expected to open this year in Rogersville.
Federal authorities are also seeking more than $1 million from the Reynolds brothers, who owned stores in Lebanon and Eldridge.
Stephen and Eric Reynolds might also be required to forfeit real estate, $128,000 in cash, the contents of a safe deposit box, a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, three pistols, an AR-15 rifle and other items that, authorities say, were paid for by the proceeds of synthetic drug sales.
Experts who have followed the surge of synthetic drugs in the area have long held that the business is lucrative.
“The amount of money they can get from selling this stuff, in my opinion, is pretty much astronomical,” said Bob Welsh, of the Missouri Safety Center.
Welsh is program manager of the center at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. He teaches law enforcement courses about synthetic drugs and has lab tested the effects of some substances on humans.
Continue reading here

Fake Drugs in Oklahoma: Synthetic Drug Problem

December 21, 2012
Fake drugs; right here

Staff Writer Cydney Baron

PRYOR — Fake drugs are a real problem in Mayes County

Anyone can buy synthetic versions of various drugs at gas stations, convenience stores, novelty stores, and head shops. Most popular are synthetic marijuana, or “fake weed,” and party pills. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics says manufacturers have flooded the market over the past few years with synthetic products that mimic actual street drugs.

Synthetic marijuana is being packaged and sold as herbal and organic. The suggested use, according to the label, is incense or potpourri. Smoking this “fake weed,” produces a high quite similar to the real thing.

It all started with K2, the original synthetic marijuana. K2, also called Spice, produces a high but comes with dangerous, often deadly side effects. The chemical compounds found in K2 can cause hallucinations, increased heart rate, seizures, anxiety, paranoia and death. K2, and all the brands following it, are sold by the gram or the ounce and marketed to teens. As laws and legislation are passed outlawing different strands of synthetic marijuana, developers reformulate, repackage and get around the laws.

Party pills are another deadly trend. These pills are sold as copies of substances such as Adarol, Xanax, cocaine and Ecstasy. Party pills are as readily available as synthetic marijuana, and can easily be purchased online. Due to unreliable manufacturers, the side effects of these pills are dangerously unpredictable.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics reports that many teenagers think these synthetic drugs are safe alternatives to street drugs, because they are sold legally in local convenience stores. Oklahoma Senate Bill 919 banned two classes of synthetic drugs, synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinone. It outlaws approximately 250 different synthetic chemicals found in these fake drugs. Possession or sales of these products can result in felony charges and a prison term of up to 10 years. 

While these trends are seen on national news, locals say they are a problem right here in Mayes County.

“It has become a huge problem in Mayes County,” says Lt. Alan Davis.“We have had a lot of medical runs because of these synthetic drugs. People have serious reactions to it.”

The laws regarding these synthetic drugs are a little hazy. Davis explains why.

“It’s not possible to say which brands are legal and which are not. The chemical compounds in these drugs are what have been made illegal,” said Davis.“These substances come from overseas and there is no regulation on what compounds are used in which ‘brands’ of synthetic drugs.”

Essentially, there is no way of knowing what compound is in each drug as the manufacturers mix and match. Not only does this make the substances more dangerous, but it makes it harder to eradicate.

“Any of these synthetic drugs are illegal if you buy or sell them with the intent to use them for consumption,” said Davis.

Many people who use these synthetic drugs believe they will not get caught, as there is no field test that will determine if one of the illegal compounds is present. Davis said this is not the case.

“There is no field test we can do to test for these compounds, however, if someone is caught with synthetic marijuana, for instance, I will seize it and send it in to be tested,” said Davis.“If the substance tests positive for one of the illegal compounds, I will issue a warrant for their arrest.”

Local law enforcement says the problem has become so widespread, it is not just teenagers anymore. People assume that because something is more readily available that is both legal and safe.

“People don’t seem to understand this stuff is deadly,” said Davis.

Local officials say party pills are every bit as dangerous, but have not been as much of a problem as synthetic marijuana so far.

http://pryordailytimes.com/local/x1633432953/... 

Friday, August 17, 2012

Raid closes alleged drug shop in Kansas


Posted on 17 August 2012. Tags: ,

Synthetic drugs like these, known as "Diablo," were seized by authorities at Blitzed Detox Shop at 5 E 7th Ave.
A local business was raided last Monday by Lyon County authorities and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for alleged involvement in a synthetic drug ring. The KBI coordinated with local authorities to conduct a seven-month long investigation into the suspected sale of synthetic cannabinoids XR-11 and Ur-144, also known as potpourri, at Blitzed Detox Shop, located at 5 E. 7th Ave, and other business in Kansas.

To read the remainder of this blog entry click here.