Joyce Marie Taylor
Suwannee Democrat
Jasper — On Tuesday, Dec. 11, Attorney General Pam Bondi filed an emergency rule outlawing 22 new synthetic drugs, commonly called “bath salts,” “K2” or “Spice.” She was joined by law enforcement officers and a health practitioner as she announced the emergency rule designating new synthetic drugs as Schedule 1 of controlled substances, making it a third-degree felony for an individual to “sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver" these drugs. Synthetic drugs can cause psychotic episodes, hallucinations, seizures, paranoia, tremors, and more.
“Synthetic cannabinoids have been linked to thousands of emergency department visits across the country, and a majority of those visits are by patients ages 12-29,” said Bondi. “I am grateful to our law enforcement partners and the health care community for their continued dedication to protecting Florida’s youth from these horrible drugs.”
“These dangerous drugs are widely available in smoke shops, truck stops, convenience stores and through the internet,” said FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey. “Retailers who stock these products have two options: surrender their inventory or face enforcement action.”
Attorney General Bondi was joined by the following: Commissioner Gerald Bailey, Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Surgeon General Dr. John H. Armstrong, Department of Health; Chief Dennis Jones, Tallahassee Police Department, President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association; and Sheriff Frank McKeithen, Bay County Sheriff's Office, Representing the Florida Sheriffs Association.
Since taking office, Bondi has been dedicated to protecting Floridians from synthetic drugs. In 2011, she signed an emergency rule that temporarily outlawed MDPV, commonly known as "bath salts."
Bondi has worked closely with the Florida Legislature over the past two legislative sessions to add cathinones, commonly known as “bath salts,” and cannabinoids, commonly known as “K2” or “Spice,” to the schedule of controlled substances. She will work with the Florida Legislature during the 2013 legislative session to ban these 22 additional drugs permanently.
“I concur and applaud General Bondi for her actions,” said Hamilton County Sheriff Harrell Reid. “The use of these drugs are a danger to our society and especially our youth.”
