[Journalists] passing along one of my stories

[Kerri Kosten]

Hi Liz!

Thanks for posting this!
This is a very well-written story and is something I had no idea about.

Again, good job and thanks for posting!

Kerri

On 7/31/10, Elizabeth Campbell <batescampbell at charter.net> wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> i thought I would post a story about a disturbing trend in our country.
> It's about how more cities and states are banning synthetic marijuana, known
> unders several names including K2  and K2 summit.
>
> I hope all is well with everyone.
>
> I've been busy as cities and counties are struggling with tight budgets,
> often meaning tax increases.
>
> Here is what I wrote.
>
>
>
> Cleburne, Watauga, Frisco and Plano target synthetic marijuana products
> including K2
> Posted Friday, Jul. 30, 2010
>
> By Elizabeth Campbell
>
> liz at star-telegram.com
>
> A growing number of North Texas cities is rushing to pass ordinances to
> limit or ban the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana products as
> concerns mount over health and safety issues.
>
> The products are often sold under the names K2, K2 Summit, Sex and Spice.
>
> K2, which is sold in gas stations, smoke shops and over the Internet, is an
> herbal product sprayed with chemical compounds that, when smoked, produces
> "highs" similar to marijuana. But critics say it can also cause vomiting,
> hallucinations and other effects.
>
> This week, city councils in Cleburne, Watauga, Frisco and Plano adopted
> ordinances prohibiting the sale and possession of K2 and the chemicals
> associated with it.
>
> Earlier, Mansfield became the first city in Texas to prohibit K2 sales to
> people younger than 21and to prohibit the sale of "smoking devices" such as
> hookahs, bongs and water pipes within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, homes
> and day-care facilities.
>
> Fines for the sale or possession of K2 vary from $500 in Cleburne and Plano
> to $2,000 in Watauga.
>
> Fort Worth is not considering a K2 ban, but Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert is
> proposing an ordinance that would ban K2, salvia -- another product -- and
> paraphernalia used to smoke synthetic marijuana, according to a news
> release.
>
> The ordinance will be discussed Monday during the Dallas City Council's
> public safety committee meeting. If passed, it would become a class C
> misdemeanor to sell or possess K2 with a fine up to $2,000.
>
> "You can find these items in slick packaging right on the shelves in gas
> stations and head shops or on the Internet," said Dallas Mayor Pro Tem
> Dwaine Caraway, chairman of the committee.
>
> "This loophole is a trap for kids," he said. "It just opens the door for
> illegal drug use later."
>
> In Plano, where the council voted to ban K2 sales to everyone, police
> anticipate brisk sales before the law takes effect Monday, spokesman Rick
> McDonald said.
>
> "We have officers visiting the stores. We are asking for voluntary
> compliance. We will start our enforcement at 8 a.m. Monday," McDonald said.
>
> McDonald said there have not been serious incidents in Plano involving
> people smoking K2, but he said he worries about what could happen if the
> product is not regulated.
>
> "Once it starts affecting public safety, you do have to put some kind of
> regulation on that," McDonald said.
>
> Cleburne police have seen the effects while answering several calls. In May,
> four people from an apartment complex were taken to hospitals because they
> were vomiting and unresponsive.
>
> In another incident, a man thought he was in the Whataburger drive-through,
> but he was parked behind the manager's car instead.
>
> A statewide law banning K2 would be a welcome relief for law enforcement
> agencies, McDonald said.
>
> K2 is illegal in several European countries, but it is legal in much of the
> United States, according to the North Texas Poison Center.
>
> So far, eight states including Kansas and Missouri, along with the Army,
> have banned K2.
>
> The Drug Enforcement Agency has listed K2 as a drug of concern.
>
> State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, has said she will introduce a bill in
> the next legislative session for a statewide K2 ban.
>
> "We've got to get a handle on this in the next Legislature," McDonald said.
>
> Elizabeth Campbell,
>
> Looking for comments?
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