Pubdate: Thu, 08 May 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Page: 21A

BUST REVEALS DANGER OF "SPICE"

The sweeping bust of "spice" dealers in Colorado and across the
country Wednesday shows the need for vigilance to keep the dangerous
drug off the streets.

Colorado, we're glad to say, has continued to refine its laws dealing
with this substance, sometimes called "synthetic marijuana." That
nickname is deceiving, since spice can be just about any vegetative
material sprayed with who-knows-what to provide a high.

And that has been part of the problem in busting spice dealers. The
evolving recipe has made it tough for law enforcement to know whether
the stuff they see for sale at $5 or $10 a packet at a gas station or
convenience store is illegal, or perhaps just incense with a
provocative name.

Colorado lawmakers recently passed legislation increasing civil
penalties against sellers, and approved money for test kits so cops
have a better idea of whether the material they see for sale is illicit.

Spice has sickened numerous Coloradans, causing hallucinations and
emergency room visits. The spice ring that federal, state and local
authorities took down is evidence that use of the drug is far from
withering away.
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MAP posted-by: Matt