DEA makes possession, sale of “Spice” illegal

  • Published
  • By Stefan T. Bocchino
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base. NM --  The Drug Enforcement Agency used its emergency powers Nov. 24 to effectively ban Spice and other products that mimic the effects of marijuana. The ban will take effect on Dec. 24.

This action by the DEA makes it illegal to possess or sell five chemicals used to make the products. The DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services will determine whether the chemicals should be placed permanently on the federal list of controlled substances that are considered unsafe, abused and without medical use.

"Banning the sale, distribution, manufacture, possession, and use of components used to make Spice gives everyone clarity on what's not allowed," said Capt. Justin Strong, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Judge Advocate chief of military justice. "While Air Force Instructions and policy letters already address specific acts - such as use - the new ban is much more comprehensive. Now there's no question that Airmen should completely stay away from Spice and other synthetic cannabinoids."

According to a DEA news release, the use of these products has become increasingly prevalent among teens and young adults to get a legal, marijuana-like high. These products, made of plant material are coated in a chemical that mimics THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The chemicals have not been approved by the Federal Drug Administration for human consumption.

The DEA has received an increasing number of reports from poison centers, hospitals and law enforcement this past year regarding these products. Patients often have a rapid heart rate, dangerously high blood pressure and sometimes hallucinations or paranoia, according to poison centers.

"Spice is an unpredictably dangerous synthetic drug and is now considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance," said Stephen Adams, 377th Medical Group Drug Demand Reduction program manager. "This means the penalty for using spice is considered more severe than using marijuana. Military, as well as civilians, need to use sound judgment and abstain from its use, along with all other illegal substances. Air Force policy continues to be 'no tolerance' for these behaviors, and use will result in legal proceedings and possibly negative career implications."