ND1019115

Title: Ohio Ban on Synthetic Drugs Takes Effect

Description: As of Oct. 18, retailers cannot sell K2, spice and synthetic bath salts.

Page Content:

CINCINNATI ? The Ohio ban on selling synthetic recreational drugs, such as K2, spice or bath salts, went into effect yesterday, the Associated Press reports. Retailers can no longer stock these products, which include synthetic marijuana and derivatives of cathinone.

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Last month, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency temporarily took over control of the sale of Mephedrone, MDPV and Methylone, which are used to make the salts, often sold at convenience stores under ?Ivory Wave? and ?Cloud Nine.? This means possessing or selling the chemical is illegal in the United States for at least a year while agencies study the drugs.

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Ohio state Sen. Dave Burke, who jointly sponsored the bill, said labeling the products as illegal can help halt ?the shadowy underworld of these designer drugs.? The new law classifies the drugs the same as marijuana, which carries a minor misdemeanor for possession and a felony for intent to sell near a school or minor.

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?There?s a perception that these products are somehow safer than street drugs because they come in eye-catching packaging and are sold in gas stations, convenience stores and novelty shops,? said Eric Wandersleben, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. ?The reality is, these substances are dangerous and can have life-threatening consequences.?

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The growing prevalence of these ?bath salts? is harming sales of the legitimate versions of the salts. Ohio joins Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and North Dakota in banning the sale of ?bath salts.? ?

Content Subject: Marketing/Merchandising

Formatted Article Date: October 19, 2011

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