DC Moves to Ban Synthetic Drugs

Synthetic drugs are still a major topic in the United States due to the fact that more than 40 states have implemented bans on synthetic marijuana and bath salts. These substances can be extremely dangerous and can lead to one’s death; what’s more, synthetic drugs have proven difficult to ban because the chemical composition can be changed relatively easy. Now legislators in Washington, D.C., are working to put a ban on synthetic drugs as well, The Washington Times reports.

“They are completely invented and manufactured without any regulation, without any quality control, with nothing,” said D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson. He chairs the Committee on the Judiciary, which forwarded a bill this week to restrict synthetic drugs in the District. “At least with a natural ingredient, you know what it is. Whereas with synthetics you have not a clue what it is and it’s sold [as] incense – and the person can kill themselves.”

New Jersey made its temporary ban on synthetic marijuana permanent earlier this week. The state’s Division of Consumer Affairs banned the drug last February, for 270 days pending public input on synthetic drugs. The state has already permanently banned bath salts.

In July, President Obama signed legislation that bans synthetic drugs. The law bans the harmful chemicals in synthetic drugs; this way manufacturers can change the name of the product all they want - their products will still be illegal.

Related articles

• N.J. permanently bans synthetic marijuana (nj.com)
• N.J. permanently bans 'synthetic marijuana,' as illegal as heroin (philly.com)