Pubdate: Mon, 15 Nov 2010 Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA) Copyright: 2010 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. Contact: http://www.timesdispatch.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365 Author: Jeremy Slayton VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS PROPOSE BAN ON SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA Richmond, Va. -- The herbs themselves may seem innocuous, but when laced with a special manmade chemical and smoked, the result can be more potent than marijuana. This so-called synthetic marijuana, known by such names as Spice and K2, is legal in Virginia. It can be purchased online, in convenience stores and at tobacco shops. But it may not be legal for long. Some state lawmakers have proposed banning the synthetic-marijuana substances in Virginia, as they have been outlawed in 13 other states. The U.S. military has banned the possession and use of it by service members. The Navy has placed several Hampton Roads businesses off limits to military personnel because they sell these types of substances. Fort Lee has not yet taken that step. Soldiers stationed at the Army installation in Prince George County are not banned from area establishments that sell Spice, though they are still prohibited from using it. "All the units are very aware about this particular substance," said Joy Metzger, deputy public affairs officer at Fort Lee. "They're educating the soldiers about it." Spice is a synthetic blend of chemically treated, smokable leaves. With the addition of chemicals similar to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol - -- THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis -- the herbs can provide a legal high. But that was not the intent when synthetic compounds such as JWH-018 and JWH-073 were developed in John W. Huffman's laboratory more than 10 years ago. JWH-018 and JWH-073 have been found in some synthetic marijuana. "I want to stress that these compounds were not meant for human consumption," Huffman, a research professor in organic chemistry at Clemson University, wrote an in e-mail. "Their effects in humans have not been studied, and they could very well have toxic effects. They absolutely should not be used as recreational drugs." His research is geared at understanding the interactions between cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other organs. The receptors play a role in regulating appetite, nausea, mood, pain and inflammation. They may also be involved in the development of such conditions as osteoporosis, liver disease and some kinds of cancer. Huffman said synthetic cannabinoids can help researchers understand these interactions and may contribute to the development of new therapies. They have been discussed in scientific publications. "Evidently," he wrote in the e-mail, "some people have figured out how to make them and are putting them in products marketed as incense." . . . Synthetic-marijuana substances are increasing in popularity among recreational drug users, with reports of problems from across the country, though few instances have been reported in the Richmond area. School officials in Richmond and in Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties said there have been no reported problems with students using Spice in their schools. Hanover Sheriff's Capt. Michael J. Trice said the county has documented incidents where Spice has been consumed, but added, "We are not currently aware of any serious complications resulting from its use in Hanover County." But it is available. Small foil packets of Spice and K2 were being sold for $14.99 in a downtown Richmond convenience store last week. Kristen J. Howard, executive director of the Virginia State Crime Commission, said her staff will brief the commission on the issue at its meeting today, calling it a drug of concern because of its effects similar to marijuana. "Because of its growth and the attention it is receiving, it is something the commission members wanted to take a look at now prior to the upcoming General Assembly session," she said. The staff will report on what other states are doing and present draft legislation. Del. T. Scott Garrett, R-Lynchburg, is one of several state lawmakers - -- Republicans and Democrats in the House and the Senate -- who have filed legislation to list synthetic marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, and make punishment for possession and distribution of it similar to that of actual marijuana. The 2011 General Assembly will convene Jan. 12. Garrett, who was informed by Lynchburg police vice officers of an increase in Spice use among that city's students, said he has yet to reach out to other lawmakers about their stance on banning synthetic marijuana. But because officials from both parties have filed bills, "it certainly seems to be there is bipartisan support for that." . . . Medical professionals caution that the synthetic cannabinoids are more potent than THC found naturally in cannabis. They present the same health risk and the same chance of being abused, if not more so, because of their potency, said M. Imad Damaj, a professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Because synthetic marijuana is a relatively new designer drug, its long-term affects are not known. But some Spice users have sought medical attention after smoking the drug. Users have reported that Spice speeds up the heart rate, causes nausea, paranoia and in some cases, seizures. Dr. Kirk Cumpston, medical director of the Virginia Poison Center, said he is not aware of any cases of synthetic-marijuana use resulting in death. "I think the cardiovascular effects on the heart get people worried because they feel palpitations, and maybe they hallucinate a little bit more," Cumpston said. Routine testing for marijuana will not detect the synthetic substances. Damaj said parents need to raise awareness of the drug. "Parents need to be very concerned because these are much more potent than natural cannabinoids," said Damaj, who is on the board of Substance Abuse Free Environment Inc. in Chesterfield County. "We know that cannabinoids can possibly act as a gateway drug . . . to use harder drugs, such as cocaine, opiates and others." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt