General Assembly OKs Synthetic Drug Ban

Yesterday the General Assembly approved legislation that would place synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones on the highly-regulated Schedule I drug list, and would ban their manufacture, sale and use in Rhode Island.

Often referred to or marketed as “synthetic pot,” “herbal incense,” “spice” and “bath salts,” these drugs are much more dangerous than their naturally-occurring counterparts. Unlike the drugs they try to mimic, synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones have been known to cause people to become violent or delirious, and can also cause high blood pressure, vomiting, and a number of deadly health complications.

Given final passage today was Senate bill 2013-S 0454A, introduced by Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston) at the request of Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin. A companion House bill, 2013-H 5325A, sponsored by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston), is expected to be voted on by the full Senate soon.

“There are so many horrifying stories of people, especially teenagers, using synthetic drugs, expecting to get high but instead causing themselves much worse damage,” said Representative McNamara. “These substances are much too accessible, and are specifically marketed to young people who are most vulnerable. We have to do all we can to protect them from this threat.”

“The rise of these synthetic drugs is a disturbing growth for our communities,” said Senator Archambault. “With this legislation, though, we hope to stop these drugs at the source. We have in the past tried to ban certain versions of these drugs, but manufacturers would just change the chemical formula to get around the law. Now, though, I believe we can make an effective push to eliminate these substances.”

Leading authorities on drugs in the U.S. have issued some grim statistics regarding synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones. The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 16 cases of serious kidney damage caused by synthetic cannabis products last year, none of which were deadly but five of which required dialysis.

Additionally, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that in 2010 there were nearly 3,000 calls to poison control centers in the U.S. for exposure to synthetic cannabis. This number ballooned to 7,000 calls in 2011 before a number of states started banning the drugs, decreasing the number of calls to 5,200 in 2012.

“The growing availability and use of synthetic drugs in our society, especially among young people, is alarming and deadly,” said Attorney General Kilmartin. “Synthetic drugs are the new frontier in the war on drugs and we must provide law enforcement with the tools to effectively prosecute those who manufacture, distribute and possess the drugs and chemical compounds. I commend the House and Senate for recognizing the importance and urgency of enacting this legislation to stem the tide of synthetic drugs in our community.”

The legislation will now head to the governor’s desk.

The House bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence), Rep. Maria E. Cimini (D-Dist. 7, Providence), Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Cranston, Warwick) and Rep. Agostinho F. Silva (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls). Co-sponsors of the Senate bill are Sen. Marc A. Cote (D-Dist. 24, NorthSmithfield, Woonsocket), Sen. Frank Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston), Sen. William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18,East Providence, Pawtucket) and Sen. James E. Doyle II (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket).