DEA Extends Emergency Ban on Synthetic Drugs for Another Six Months

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced this week it is extending its ban on synthetic drugs such as “Spice” and “K2,” which mimic the effects of marijuana, for another six months. In March 2011, the DEA temporarily banned five chemicals whose effects mimic marijuana. The DEA said it was outlawing the chemicals to protect public health and safety.

The chemicals are now classified as Schedule I substances, which have “a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use for treatment in the United States and a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision.”

“We continue to address the problems of synthetic drug manufacturing, trafficking, and abuse,” DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart said in a news release. “Our efforts have clearly shown that these chemicals present an imminent threat to public safety. This six month extension is critical and gives us the time necessary to conduct the administrative scheduling process for permanent control.”

CNN reports that these synthetic drugs may cause symptoms such as convulsions, elevated heart rates, vomiting and disorientation.

The DEA is not authorized to ban the drugs for more than 18 months, the news report notes. However, the Department of Health and Human Services can make the ban permanent. The U.S. House has passed a bill to outlaw synthetic drugs, but the Senate has not passed a similar measure.

In September 2011, the DEA ordered a temporary ban on synthetic drugs known as “bath salts.” That ban will last at least one year.