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. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt