K2 Incense Information

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  • Should Iowa ban synthetic marijuana?

    YES

    K2 incense is a relatively unknown substance whose effects should be extensively researched before becoming widely available on the market.

    Relying on infectious mixtures of psychotropic chemicals, synthetic forms of marijuana have grown in popularity recently as legal alternatives to cannabis. Often billed as “incense,” these substances are available in a multitude of varieties carrying different names, perhaps the most infamous of which is K2. And although still widely available, Iowa lawmakers have attempted to ban these substances before, only to be thwarted by producers who managed to skirt around the legal framework.

    While little empirical research has been accumulated on K2 or similar substances, many in law enforcement and medicine have reported dangerous symptoms occurring as a result of the substance’s use. Ranging from nausea to hallucinations, it’s K2’s connection to fits of anxiety that is perhaps the most disturbing symptom reported; having allegedly played a part in the suicide of David Rozga, an Iowa teen who last year shot himself as a result of hyper anxiety.

    Given the inherent possibility of danger from smoking K2, at the very least, access to K2 should be restricted until the substance can be more thoroughly studied. This was the view of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which earlier this year attempted to impose an emergency ban on the sale of K2 for this very purpose, only to have their ban similarly made useless.

    Still, one needn’t look far into the debate to come away with the understanding that K2 should be banned. The substance is extremely similar to cannabis and, as law currently appears, cannabis is still illegal. If we, as a state and nation, decide it’s right to criminalize marijuana, then we should apply the same basic principle of enforcement to marijuana’s synthetic alternatives; especially when we know much less of these substances.

     

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  • Designer drugs evolve faster than laws to restrict them

    INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – In the summer of 2010, a new designer drug hit central Indiana. It was called K2 incense or Spice. It was marketed as incense, but it contained a mixture of herbs that had been sprayed with lab-created chemicals that mimicked a marijuana-like high.

    Then an even harsher drug hit convenience stores in Indiana: bath salts. They are being sold under a variety of names, including Ivory Wave,Tranquility, Blue Silk and Ocean Snow, among others. One Greenfield woman recently arrested in connection with thefts police say her drug habit compelled her to commit, called it Rave On.

    “If you just took [cocaine] and Rave On, I would do Rave On because it’s like two of the hardest drugs mixed together, and it’s a lot more intense then just cocaine” said 18-year old Amber Eckler. She and five friends were arrested this week for a number of break-ins in the area. Police said they used the money they got from selling the stolen property to support their addiction.

    Starting July 1, the chemical compounds that make up “synthetic drugs will be illegal in Indiana. The Indiana Legislature passed a 22-page bill banning the substances. Four of those 22 pages are filled with just the names of chemical compounds.

    “Some of what’s going on is folks are reading research literature and published papers, and they’re pulling these psychoactive compounds and manufacturing it,” said Nancy Beals, Prevention Project coordinator for the organization Drug Free Marion County.

    The concept sounds far-fetched, but it happened to Dr. Dave Nichols, a professor of Pharmacology at Purdue University. Underground chemists are copying the chemical compounds he’s published for drugs that treat Parkinson’s and depression, and they’re using them to create designer street drugs. With their understanding of chemistry, they can manipulate the specific chemical formulations, too, in response to legal efforts to stop them.

    “As they shift the chemical composition, the state legislature is going to be running to keep up with it,” Beals said.

    For example, he said, a compound called K4 is already being created in Europe, similar to K2 incense, but with a different chemical makeup that would skirt the legislation that goes into affect July 1.

    As far as enforcement of the new law, Attorney General Greg Zoeller called the law “a moving target.”

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  • State’s Attorney Brant warns against K2 incense use

    Flora, Ill. —

    Clay County State’s Attorney Marilyn Brant is issuing a strong warning to the public that products marketed as K2 incense, or substances similar to K2 incense are extremely dangerous and may be lethal.  These products are being used in Clay County, and the chemicals are suspected to be the cause of the collapse and hospitalization of a Clay County youth recently.

    Victims lose consciousness and become unresponsive in a coma-like state.  The victim survived and is recovering, but this could easily have been fatal.

    K2 incense is a synthetic substance that, when smoked, has an effect similar to marijuana.  K2 incense and K2 incense substitutes, such as “bath salts,” are smoked, injected, or snorted to gain a “high.”  They are marketed over the internet as “potpourri” or are sometimes offered as a retail item in certain establishments, like bars or liquor stores.    Any charge involving the possession of delivery of K2 incense is a felony charge.

    Parents are urged to pay attention to the products their children bring into the home.  If a boy is bringing poupourri or bath salts into the home, that may be a red flag that you should inquire further. These products are marketed over the internet, so if your child is receiving mail-ordered bath salts or poupourri, this is a very serious situation and you may wish to turn the products over to law enforcement officers for testing and/or disposal.

    State’s Attorney Brant emphasizes that these products are extremely dangerous, and can potentially be fatal.  Perhaps the best course of action is to be pro-active, destroy any suspicious products, and have a serious discussion with your child about K2 and its substitutes.

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