HomeMy WebLinkAbout9A - CSAC Report on Synthetic Marijuana4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake. MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: December 6, 2010
AGENDA #: 9A
PREPARED BY: Bill O'Rourke, Chief of Police
PRESENTER: Bill O'Rourke
AGENDA ITEM: Report from the Community Safety Advisory Committee on synthetic
marijuana.(aka K2)
DISCUSSION: Introduction
K2 is a brand name of an incense blend, made of herbs, spices and
synthetic cannabinoids which mimic the effects of THC — the active
substance in marijuana. Although it is sold as incense, it has become
increasingly popular to consume in ways comparable to cannabis, including
smoking and ingesting. Other similar products are marketed under the
names "Spice," "Genie" and "Zohai ".
Current Circumstances
K2 Incense is legal and readily available throughout most of the United
States, usually in local "headshops" and online. According to the Drug
Enforcement Administration, makers of fake pot blends including "Spice,"
"K2," "Blaze," and others, label the mixtures as incense to try to hide their
intended purpose. But ultimately the blends are smoked like real marijuana
to produce a high and are making users across the country sick. The five
chemicals used in herbal blends to make the synthetic marijuana aren't
approved by the FDA for human consumption.
Last week, the DEA began the 30 -day process to put these chemicals in
the same drug category as heroin and cocaine. Noting that fifteen sates
have already acted to ban or regulate one or more of these chemical, the
DEA action would outlaw them "to avoid an imminent hazard to the public
safety."
John W. Huffman, a retired organic chemistry researcher from Clemson
University first developed three of the compounds as part of his research
sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 1993. He said that
the compounds were developed to study how compounds that mimic THC
but have very different chemical formulas interact with the brain. The
recipe found its way to marijuana users, who replicated Huffman's work
and began spraying it onto dried flowers, herbs and tobacco. Huffman said
they were only tested in animals and that they are, "dangerous and anyone
who uses them is stupid." The Center for Disease Control has reported
overdoses, suicides, hallucination, seizures and cases of addiction
associated with the chemicals used to make synthetic marijuana.
As reported in the Prior Lake American the end of October, two Prior Lake
teens were recently found in possession of K2 during an unannounced
drug sweep at Prior Lake High School.
Presently there is no statewide regulation of synthetic marijuana in
Minnesota. Local governments have taken it upon themselves in the past
months to try and control the sale, possession and use of products with
synthetic cannabinoids in them.
The City of Duluth enacted an ordinance in August prohibiting the use,
possession, purchase, sale, giving away, bartering, exchange, dispensing,
delivery, distribution and manufacturing of any product that is treated,
sprayed, or saturated with any chemical that is the synthetic equivalent of
the substance contained in the cannabis plant, or its isomers with similar
chemical structure or pharmacological activity. Duluth is being sued by
owners of local "headshops."
Other communities, including South St. Paul, have passed resolutions
recommending support for the adoption of statewide regulations and /or
statutes
As part of their resolution, South St. Paul notes that the Minnesota Board of
Pharmacy is currently evaluating the potentially harmful effects of synthetic
marijuana and may soon recommend the addition of these cannabinoids to
the State's schedule of controlled substances.
At a news conference last week, Senator Katie Sieben of Newport outlined
a proposal to classify synthetic pot as a prohibited drug during the
upcoming legislative session.
ISSUES: The Community Safety Advisory Committee has reviewed the issues
surrounding synthetic marijuana and would support a prohibition similar to
that of Duluth. Even though there is a possibility of statewide action during
the next legislative session, the CSAC committee believes that the passage
of a local regulation is in the best interest of protecting our citizens from the
risks posed by synthetic marijuana.
FINANCIAL City costs are unknown at this time particularly if the City were sued for
IMPACT: some reason.
ALTERNATIVES: Direct the staff to prepare:
1. An ordinance prohibiting synthetic cannabinoids.
2. A resolution supporting the adoption of statewide regulations and /or
statutes
3. Do nothing at this time as it appears that the state will address the
issue either through the adoption of legislation or the inclusion of
synthetic marijuana compounds on the State's schedule of controlled
substances.
4. Do nothing at this time and provided direction to staff.
RECOMMENDED As determined by the city council.
MOTION:
:r
2