Some people around Chicago are getting high and avoiding any legal consequence.
What lawmakers are doing to try and stop this legal high.
It goes by names like "K2" and "Spice"- little packets full of scented
herbs that seem innocent enough - that is until it is sprayed with a
man-made chemical and turned into something, apparently, more powerful
than marijuana.
With marijuana legalization making slow progress in Illinois, K2
presents a tempting and legal alternative to those looking to get high.
According to Bruce Talbot, drug expert and former Woodridge Police
Officer, K2 was initially developed for legitimate research purposes.
"This research has been hijacked to create these new gray market drugs."
says Talbot.
You can find K2 in many neighborhood "head shops", which specialize in
selling smoking paraphernalia. For about $30 you can buy anywhere from
one to three grams, depending on quality. Usually it's sold as "incense"
or "potpourri" and you must be at least 18 to buy it.
While K2 presents an example of the popularity gained by designer drugs,
medical director Mike Wahl cautions against the serious side effects.
"We know that in the short term people are having some serious
psychological issues as well as physical issues where they show up in
the emergency room." says Wahl.
And while it may be legal for now, Rep. John Frichey has other plans for
the drug.
"Well at this point we want to criminalize it, keep it out of the hands
of people really to protect the public," he says.
As lawmakers plot to limit the legality of the K2, the changing nature
and flexibility of designer drugs makes it difficult to legislate.
"Whenever you're dealing with synthetic chemicals you almost have a cat
and mouse game when as these chemicals get modified slightly we have to
modify the laws to keep up with them." says Fritchey.
Lawmakers are aware of the uphill battle and prepared to adjust the case
law accordingly.
JENNYMILK
Produced by Jenny Milkowski for WGN
Know someone who has a great story to tell? Please tell me more at Milkin' it
Follow JennyMilk on Twitter
It's scary how the range of potency varies so much and there are loads of people falsely using the K2 label. I wish people would be more careful, especially my loved ones. My friends were telling me about some sort of blueberry K2 incense and I googled it and found out it isn't legit. The list of fakes I found is scary long, http://www.k2-incense.com. It's worth checking out if you buy this or know someone who does. Stay safe.....
It is blatantly obvious that prohibition just doesn't work. K2 herb has survived all these bans thus far. If people want to buy k2 smoke, it looks like they are going to have no problems doing it as there are places like, http://www.k2incense.org that have k2 incense products that aren't restricted by any current bans. It's unconstitutional to make someone's recreational decisions for them. I think our founding fathers would be appalled by how The Constitution is being stomped on. Let us have more respect for our individual liberties and take more personal responsibility. Parent your children, stop looking to Mommy Government to do it for you with all these ineffective and oppressive laws.