June 13th, 2012
Call Governor Snyder today and ask him to sign Bill#1082 and any other bill’s associated.
Please contact his office 517.373.3400.
The person who is responsible in getting the bill on his desk can be reached at 517.241.3950.
rick.snyder@michigan.gov
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6/13/12 – Legislation designed to close a loophole in state law and crack down on new dangerous and addictive synthetic drugs is on its way to becoming law. The substance is sold under trade names like Spice and K2 and has been available in stores as a mix of dried herbs and spices sprayed with chemicals. It has been blamed for health problems and violent behavior, especially among young people.
Senate Bill 1082 will update Michigan’s law that lists prohibited chemical compounds typically used by synthetic drug manufacturers and allow local law enforcement to keep up with the ever-changing nature of the. The measure was sponsored to target synthetic drugs similar to “K2” and “bath salts,” which were previously banned but have had their chemicals altered to escape the penalties.
Senator Joe Hune, a Hamburg Township Republican, tells WHMI the issue literally came to life because of individuals in the community who educated lawmakers and policymakers about it. He says wasn’t aware of the products being sold in local gas stations until the calls and emails started coming in from parents and residents and while the legislature will likely never work fast enough in public opinion, they really did act quickly to get this done.
Some counties and communities including Livingston have already have acted on their own to ban synthetic marijuana in the time before the bills take effect. Livingston County Department of Public Health Director Ted Westmeier issued an order under public health code for imminent danger last week banning the sale of K2 locally with orders served at ten businesses and products seized. Since then, orders have only been served at three new locations – none of which were actually selling K2 or similar products.
Westmeier adds that he anticipates once the law is signed by Governor Rick Snyder and takes effect, local police agencies will take over the enforcement aspect and he will lift the local order. By classifying the synthetic drugs as schedule-1 substances, anyone caught possessing them would face a felony charge punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.
Additionally, anyone caught using one of these controlled substances could be found guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of $1,000. (JM)
