(and variations on that name such as: K2, Pep, Zohai, Yucatan Fire and Genie) is marketed as incense and is sold in smoke shops and convenience stores. The harmful substance mimics the effects of THC, the chemical in marijuana that gives users a high.
But Spice is actually much stronger and that concerns Forsyth County Commissioner Patrick Bell and other officials.
Producers add a chemical spray, which contains a compound that has an effect similar to that of marijuana and package it as incense. Users roll it into cigarettes or smoke it in pipes. Selling Spice as incense circumvents Food and Drug Administration testing.
Bell said in a news release, producers and marketers continue to find loopholes and he has a problem with that. The product is prominently displayed, and easily available to anyone, at several Forsyth County and Cumming outlets.
This is something Bell wants to see come to an end.
“Store owners, managers and clerks innocently claim they are selling incense and say they are unaware the product is smoked," Bell said. "They are not fooling anyone and I intend on letting them know that the citizens of Forsyth County are on to them and do not want that type of business around.”
When a Georgia teenager died as a result of smoking Spice, Bell vowed to find a way to ban the sale, distribution and possession in Forsyth County.
“I have grave concerns about products like this being marketed to kids knowing that they can cause serious effects, including death, just for the sake of a few bucks.” he said.
Bell, who is seeking a second term in District 4, brought the proposed ban forward at a recent Board of Commissioners work session along with Commissioner Todd Levent. With unanimous support, Ken Jarrard, county attorney, was instructed to draft an ordinance that would address this growing problem. The draft ordinance is to be presented at upcoming public hearings where it can be adopted by the board after the second hearing.
The DEA lists five variations as “chemicals of concern,” but because Spice doesn’t contain THC, the chemical that makes marijuana, hemp and other cannabis illegal, it is not included on the list of controlled substances. The DEA ban was made after citing a surge in emergency-room visits and calls to poison-control centers that included seizures, hallucinations, paranoid behavior, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, racing heartbeat and elevated blood pressure in synthetic cannabis users, the news release stated.
K2 is just one of the names for herbal preparations powdered with a synthetic cannabinoid, JWH-108, created by Clemson University organic chemist John W. Huffman in the mid-1990s. Georgia HB 1309, places K2 as a Schedule I controlled substance alongside heroin and above cocaine, Ritalin, and opium, that are all Schedule III. The bill passed by a 148-2 vote in the House and a 48-0 vote in the Senate.
making the sale of synthetic marijuana illegal. Named for Chase Burnett, SB370 was named “Chase’s Law.” Burnett was a 16-year old honor student and soccer player from Fayetteville who died in March after smoking synthetic marijuana.
Editor's Note: Cumming Patch is not affiliated with nor endorses any candidate running for public office.
The lack of knowledge about the state law by the critic above is shameful. His, and his candidate's, total lack of knowledge on the issues affecting Forsyth County families is, and should be, an embarrassment. As many continue to see, the politically motivated personal attacks continue but I'm proud that I actually get things done and focus on issues. I'm sure the personal attacks will continue because there is nothing of substance being offered by the candidate backed by the poster above. Of course, that's of no surprise. I am going to keep working on making Forsyth County better than it already is and focusing on issues. This particular issue is of great concern and something I will keep moving along and rid our county of this type of product.
http://cumming.patch.com/articles/trendy-new-drugs-get-cuter-by-the-minute Don't expect your commissioners to walk on water--Do be grateful they stand on solid ground when it comes to synthetic drugs.
Perhaps if Mr. Bell spent more time fabricating a legitimate explanation directed towards the Voters as to why he keeps telling one untruth after another, such as the United Community Bank secret deal vote, he would do better. But hearing Bell admit – that he is an unrepentant fibber, as accurately demonstrated on You Tube presentations, will most probably have to wait until hell freezes over. Realistically, Mr. Bell will do well to stop wasting his time on squeezing his nutty notion to the extreme that he will ever serve in any political position around these parts in the future. The Taxpayers are quite fed up with Patrick Bell. I know because twice last week I overheard complainers about Bell state; “yea, I got a belly full Patrick Bell too.”
As to my lack of knowledge of state law, you are the one recently convicted of violating the state ethics law.Perhaps you should have demonstrated your knowledge then,instead of insulting and demeaning our Attorney General with your little hissy fit. I differ with your interpretation of my comments as personal attacks.You spent a great deal of time at the recent debate bragging on your service on the County Finance Committee.To me ,the way you have conducted your personal finances,is a chilling foreshadowing of what we can expect from you in your professional capacity. Your recent efforts for your diminutive and disgraced supporter, John Kieffer, were so blatantly obvious, it was almost amusing. My candidate,Ms. Mills, is so far superior to you as a public servant it is obvious why I support her.I can assure you,however, that Tim Hubbard, Bill Mulrooney,maybe even Amos's boy Meagher,would all receive my vote before you and four more years of your futility.
Thank you Mr. Bell for your dedication to revoke the sale and purchase of this product. -TL
Reading irrelevant comments that bash Bell and take the focus away from the issue at hand are absurd! It is appalling to see the bully mentality being used by some to further their own political agenda. Name calling, false accusations,and attempted character assassination takes away from the real issues at hand and wastes energy that could be used for productive discussions, pertinent research, and ultimately improved quality of life for us all.
The proposed Forsyth County ordinance is not critical of the state code and is not intended to replace it. The ordinance is designed to back up the state law and provide additional strength which helps the Sheriff's Office rid the county of this stuff. Don't let the comments of naysayers sway you. If we keep our eye on the issues we can make a difference.
The smoke shop guys are saying that kids are coming to Forsyth County from as far away as the airport to buy this crap. It is not even close to being anything like THC. The law that just passed didn't seem to do anything, you can walk in today and buy a variation of it TODAY !! It needs to go away NOW