K2: Incense or drug?

Friday

Jul 16, 2010 at 12:01 AMJul 16, 2010 at 3:23 PM

The issue of whether to ban synthetic marijuana substances sold legally as incense has been debated by the Illinois Legislature and a bill instituting such a ban awaits the Governor’s signature, said State Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica.

Travis Morse

The issue of whether to ban synthetic marijuana substances sold legally as incense has been debated by the Illinois Legislature and a bill instituting such a ban awaits the Governor’s signature, said State Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica.

Earlier this month, Missouri became the nation’s eighth state this year to ban the substance known as “K2,” a marijuana-like product often sold as incense, according to the New York Times. The drug, which is essentially a blend of herbs treated with synthetic marijuana, has reportedly sent users to emergency rooms across the U.S. for symptoms ranging from elevated heart rates and paranoia to vomiting and hallucinations, the New York Times states.

According to Sacia, the Illinois House and Senate recently approved legislation that, among other things, would prohibit the sale of K2 in this state. The bill has not yet been signed into law and it is unclear when or if the Governor will do so, Sacia said.

“Based on what I’ve heard initially, it sounds like a very scary product for young people to get their hands on,” Sacia said of K2. “Other states have banned it, which shows that it needs a closer look.”
In some areas of the country, K2 is marketed as incense and sold openly in gas stations, head shops, and other kinds of stores, the New York Times states. The drug is also available on line. It is banned in many European countries, but domestic sellers have been able to sidestep federal regulation by marketing the product as incense and claiming that it’s not meant for consumption, the New York Times states.

The Freeport Police Department and Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office both report that their officers have not yet encountered any K2-related cases locally.

“I’ve heard a little about it, (but) I don’t think our deputies have come across it yet,” said Stephenson County Sheriff David Snyders.

The State Line Area Narcotics Team (SLANT) is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force that combats illegal drugs in the stateline area. It currently serves Winnebago, Boone, and Stephenson counties in Illinois, Green County in Wisconsin, and the cities of Rockford, Freeport, Monroe, Wis., and Loves Park.

Master Sgt. John Biffany, commander of SLANT, said his agency has not yet pursued any investigations related to K2 or similar marijuana substitutes. However, he said he hopes Illinois will stay on top of this issue and approve some sort of ban for this potentially harmful substance.
“I’m hoping they are on the leading edge of it and they get it banned before all the smoke shops start carrying it,” Biffany said of K2. “It’s definitely going to be a gateway drug. If it’s legalized, that will be the new gateway drug to harder drugs.”

Oregon Case

Although K2 has not yet surfaced in the Freeport area, related cases have sprung up in the region. Oregon police in April conducted an investigation into drug paraphernalia allegedly being sold at Sam’s Smoke Shop in Oregon. In this case, Oregon police received complaints that the shop was allegedly selling pipes, scales, and other paraphernalia, as well as a marijuana-like herb known as “Space,” said Oregon Police Chief Darin DeHaan.

The owner of the shop, Sami Aljabari, was eventually charged in Ogle County for a misdemeanor related to allegedly selling Viagra to an undercover officer, DeHaan said. The owner was also required to remove all drug paraphernalia and herbs from the store, DeHaan said.

Larger Investigation

Oregon police also participated in a larger investigation with the Rochelle and Dixon police departments, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lee and Ogle County state’s attorney’s offices regarding the alleged sale of drug paraphernalia, DeHaan said. This more extensive, months-long investigation resulted in several arrests in Dixon in April, he said.

DeHaan said herbs like K2 and Space should be regulated if they are being abused and causing serious illnesses.

“It obviously can make a person pretty ill,” DeHaan said of K2. “You have to look at regulating things like that (since) they can be abused. I think it still comes down to education and parental influence, but if it can cause harm, it should be regulated.”