Should the Sale of Spice be Banned in Michigan?
A state representative is proposing that K2—a synthetic form of marijuana known as Spice—be banned in Michigan.
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The sale of K2—a synthetic drug also known as Spice—has drawn much attention throughout the state of Michigan in recent weeks.
Many parents have expressed concern about Spice in the wake of several incidents. Most notably, Tucker Cipriano, 19, of Farmington Hills is believed to have been high on synthetic marijuana in April when he attacked his family, killing his father and severely injuring his mother and brother.
On Wednesday, Michigan state Rep. George Darany (D-Dearborn) introduced legislation aimed to combat the sale and use of synthetic marijuana in the state of Michigan.
Darany’s proposal comes after many local communities have rallied to have Spice banned.
Facebook groups have been formed in White Lake, protests have been held in Dearborn, and parents have teamed up in Utica.
Other local officials are taking notice, too.
West Bloomfield Township will consider banning K2 at a board meeting next week. Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte has warned the Hartland Township board about the dangers of the drug. And 52-4 District Court Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig spoke out against Spice in an editorial on Troy Patch.
Novi Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety David Molloy said he has not seen Spice as a factor in any Novi crimes, but said the department isn't naive enough to think that nobody in the city is using it.
He said he is in full support of outlawing Spice.
"We're hoping the legislature, not only on a state level, but hopefully Congress, will take a harder look at scheduling the entire category of drugs as illegal," he said.
"What's happening is that we see that once they schedule a certain particular drug as illegal, the chemist and manufacturers, they come back and they change one molecule and one element to the point where it's not illegal, and then they repackage it and call it something different," he continued.
He said that he is not aware that the substance is being sold in any Novi gas stations or party stores.
Debra L. Van Buren
9:53 am on Friday, June 1, 2012
Although "Spice," and "K-2" are legal at the present time, it certainly ought to be banned due to the dangers associated with it's use. Officials should not allow use of the synthetic marijuana as an excuse and/or defense for committing crime(s), and should not give leniency in such criminal-related matters. The dangers associated with "Spice" and "K-2" are well publicized and known in the general public. Anyone who experiments with such synthetic drugs, does so at their own risk, and must be held accountable for any subsequent illegal behaviors. The legislature will no doubt take appropriate action(s) to schedule these drugs as illegal, and take a close look at loopholes that might exist. Chemists and manufacturers must be required to follow strict laws that prevent them from circumventing established laws which will undoubtedly ensue to outlaw synthetic marijuana.