The Kansas state representatives gathered for today's hearing have been working for just 10 days of a 90-day session. This year, the three-month legislative session hardly seems long enough to solve all the state's problems. The state legislators are facing a projected budget shortfall of $400 million. (As a result of last year's budget cuts, public schools already have lost 3,700 teachers. The state also has closed three minimum-security prisons, cut its reimbursements to doctors in the Medicaid program by 10 percent, and stopped paying for some seniors' dental care). But legislators will spend the next few hours arguing about fake weed.
It's Tuesday, January 19. The half-dozen members of the Kansas House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee seem at ease despite the tense atmosphere in a packed room that's painted and carpeted like the lobby of a large dentist's office. The only item on the agenda is a bill that would criminalize two synthetic cannabinoid compounds: JWH-073 and JWH-018, which can bond to brain receptors and produce a high similar to that of marijuana. The chemicals are the active ingredients in a product called K2. It's packaged in tiny bags that look as if they're filled with potpourri, and it's sold in a couple of head shops on the eastern edge of the state.
It's the day after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. That makes it tough for anyone to speak in front of the committee because the meeting was announced on Thursday of last week, and those testifying must submit written testimony 24 hours in advance.
Despite the short notice, eight representatives from various Kansas law-enforcement agencies have been able to prepare remarks and make the trip to Topeka. Among them is Johnson County forensic scientist Jeremy Morris, who one week earlier stood with the bill's sponsor, Rep. Robert Olson, a Republican from Olathe, at a press conference urging a ban. (Three days before the press conference, Olson told The Pitch: "The police were the ones that were pushing for it. I don't know much about it myself. I've been listening to the police, and they have a lot of concerns." Though he wasn't familiar with any scientific research on K2, he said, "I've got a daughter in high school, and this is a dangerous drug. The concern is selling it to kids.")
Morris' statement to the committee is essentially the same as it was at Olson's press conference: that K2 is a sort of super weed, able get a smoker higher than any real marijuana, while paralyzing unsuspecting teens in dreamless, dark comas. Based on the heavy law-enforcement presence, it looks as if today is about cops writing a law they want to enforce.
When police officers step up to add to Morris' testimony, they greet legislators on a familiar, first-name basis.
Their testimony is a weird mix of Internet innuendo and third-hand anecdotes. One officer says the first thing his department did upon hearing about K2 was search YouTube for clips and read the video comments. Another says he heard about a blog telling of a teen who went into a coma for 12 hours after smoking K2. A woman who works with high-school students says she fears for the teachers if a student goes into a violent frenzy from synthetic cannabinoids.
"I asked one student, and he said he smoked it and his insides were on fire," she says. "I know one was driving after he had smoked it with a friend, and they described the houses as looking small, like everything was in a video game. So their perception was clearly altered."
Speakers claim that the synthetic cannabinoids are chemically far more potent than marijuana, and they compare K2 with hallucinogens such as LSD.
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I know they are trying to close any loopholes that current k2 incense manufacturers are trying to get around but my friends still buy k2 incense from places that still claim to offer legal everywhere k2 herb blends like http://www.buyk2.com As long as marijuana is prohibited there is going to be a niche for marijuana alternatives.
nice blog about drug addiction. we should try to stay away from all kind of addictions.
The Rehab Doc
The drug gained popularity very quickly, and with the political or rather anti-political sentiment of the day, continued to gain popularity in young people steadily.
Hmmm. They don't care about the American public in the least. They started banning K2 and other incense products long before they actually started research on any possible side effects they may have. Please don't be fooled into thinking they care about our well-being. If that were so, they would just tear down the corrupt FDA and take out Big Pharma as they are the biggest toxin pushers! Provided there are age restrictions, if someone wants some k2 herb, who are you to tell them that they can't have it? If someone wants to, they will buy k2 smoke whether it's legal or not as that is what happens with anything else that is unjustly and ridiculously prohibited. K2 incense will be no different. Plus, the formulas are constantly changing. http://www.buyk2.com offers several products that are legal all over the world.
I believe people are going to try and find ways to work around the law and get their high. I myself have been "forced" to switch my "drug of choice" from marijuana to this risky thing called k2,spice,kush, etc.personally I hate the risk involved but like that I can relax after work and sleep on time.I can pass any drug test whether it be from work or anywhere else. If the government would just regulate the sale and usage of marijuana they could take away these risks and make money for our country (being that marijuana is a multibillion dollar industry). I wish I didnt have to smoke this because marijuana tastes better feels better and is less dangerous. I know the risks involved of smoking but thats for me to decide what is put in my body as is alcohol and tobbaco. I know if the government made marijuana it would be much better in price and quality.
wow, this is a touchy subject. I feel horrible for the Rozga family, but you cannot scapegoat K2 as the one thing that pushed David over the edge that tragic day. I have recently been put on court-ordered drug testing; my only choice of drug had been marijuana. Its not an understatement to say I abused marijuana; I smoked everyday, at least a few times each day. Once I had to stop.....I experienced anxiety, insomnia, and was generally uncomfortable. This was until a friend introduced me to K2. I have been smoking K2 recreationally for about 2 weeks now, only smoking once a day, and a small amount. I've felt no hallucinations, nothing scary or abnormal at all. It simply makes me feel like I'm smoking marijuana, yet I do not get socially-awkwardly-high(i know thats not a real phrase), or space out or anything. I simply feel it in my eyes a little bit, similar to a marijuana effect. But its enough for me to take the edge off, stop being anxious, and get to sleep at a reasonable hour. Another reason I'm fond of K2 is because I've had two drug tests so far while smoking the K2, and have passed both of them. Now before I go praising this drug as the new and improved weed, I do realize that very few studies have been done on long term use of this drug, and I'm not 100% backing use of this. So yeah, guess I drifted off topic, but basically I feel legislatures have reasonably over-reacted to this drug, and the only way we will find out its true impact on people is if there is some serious studies done on its effects.
Isn't it funny how you can go to the doctor and easily get a prescription for an endless amount of drugs that can lead to organ damage/failure or even death, yet the authorities are having a hissy fit over some fake weed. Okay, not funny. Infuriating. They waste so much time and money chasing stuff like this down. They are only adding to the huge overcrowding problem we currently have in American prisons. K2 incense has survived every ban thus far and you can buy k2 smoke products from these guys, http://www.k2incenseblend.com that aren't restricted by ANY current ban, so really, what exactly are they trying to achieve here???
I most definitely feel there should be age restrictions, as there are, with tobacco and alcohol products, but really, what do they hope to accomplish by banning these substances? These guys claim to have k2 incense products that are legal in every single state, http://www.k2-incense.com/what... so you see, these bans aren't so effective are they?
I most definitely feel there should be age restrictions, as there are, with tobacco and alcohol products, but really, what do they hope to accomplish by banning these substances? These guys claim to have k2 incense products that are legal in every single state, http://www.k2-incense.com/what-is so you see, these bans aren't so effective are they?
It's nerve-wracking how some people are so ban happy. It should be crystal clear by now that prohibition just doesn't work. Well, for anyone but the black market drug peddlers, that is. They are having a field day with this k2 incense stuff. Apparently there is loads of counterfeit floating about already. This site has a list warning about a ton of it. http://www.k2incense.net FDA regulation doesn't mean much to me as they are constantly approving toxins for human consumption. Go research some of the ingredients in your extremely processed "food".
It's nerve-wracking how some people are so ban happy. It should be crystal clear by now that prohibition just doesn't work. Well, for anyone but the black market drug peddlers, that is. They are having a field day with this k2 incense stuff. Apparently there is loads of counterfeit floating about already. This site has a list warning about a ton of it. http://www.k2incense.net FDA regulation doesn't mean much to me as they are constantly approving toxins for human consumption. Go research some of the ingredients in your extremely processed "food".
This is really complete B.S. All the laws that are already on the books and the only thing that is happening is that adults that have a constitutional right to choose what they want to do, as long as it doesn't interfere with another person's rights to do the same, are being arrested and thrown into an already over crowded penal system for a victimless crime.
Our state, which is being ran or, ran down by a bunch of incompetent politicians, would greatly benefit from the taxes made from these sales.
Why is it that politicians always seem to know whats best for everyone? LOL
Leave the parenting to the parents! It's obvious that, even if outlawed, if kids want to obtain this or any other illegal substance, they will get it.
Give them education not criminalization!
This is really complete B.S. All the laws that are already on the books and the only thing that is happening is that adults that have a constitutional right to choose what they want to do, as long as it doesn't interfere with another person's rights to do the same, are being arrested and thrown into an already over crowded penal system for a victimless crime. Our state, which is being ran or, ran down by a bunch of incompetent politicians, would greatly benefit from the taxes made from these sales. Why is it that politicians always seem to know whats best for everyone? LOL Leave the parenting to the parents! It's obvious that, even if outlawed, if kids want to obtain this or any other illegal substance, they will get it. Give them education not criminalization!
While I'm bothered that our cognitive liberties are in serious jeopardy with all this banning talk, I do feel people need to wise the heck up. I found a scary long list of k2 incense counterfeiters on this website, http://www.k2incense.org. Some of you have been putting that crap in your body. INFORM yourself and stay safe.
While I'm bothered that our cognitive liberties are in serious jeopardy with all this banning talk, I do feel people need to wise the heck up. I found a scary long list of k2 incense counterfeiters on this website, http://www.k2incense.org. Some of you have been putting that crap in your body. INFORM yourself and stay safe.
These anti-K2 people sound like complete fools. A "frenzy"!? Get real lady! And puts kids in "DARK COMMAS"!? How this man is lying to people makes me sick! I smoke this every day and the effects are milder than marijuana. These people remind me of peasents of the middle age who believed in all the lore about witches and superstitions.
These anti-K2 people sound like complete fools. A "frenzy"!? Get real lady! And puts kids in "DARK COMMAS"!? How this man is lying to people makes me sick! I smoke this every day and the effects are milder than marijuana. These people remind me of peasents of the middle age who believed in all the lore about witches and superstitions.
This is not shocking, coming from the state that once banned teaching evolution in science class. I hope they kicked off this anti-drug campaign with a big mug of beer, oh, wait, alcohol is a drug too isn't it?
I did enjoy reading about The Pitch's research team, keep up the good investigative reporting work.
This is not shocking, coming from the state that once banned teaching evolution in science class. I hope they kicked off this anti-drug campaign with a big mug of beer, oh, wait, alcohol is a drug too isn't it? I did enjoy reading about The Pitch's research team, keep up the good investigative reporting work.
Does anyone realize the ones most opposed are from Johnson county and the surrounding areas. Why are we letting one or two counties determine the whole states ideals? This absolutely pisses me off. I have nothing against most people from Johnson county,just their politicians, some folks from there are great. But when their politicians are so selfish in their own ideals and inconsiderate of anyone else other than themselves this is what happens. They are more worried about a drug that has SIMILAR effects as marijuana than our local schools crisis. Al;so the officer that said k-2 has the same effects as ecstasy, LSD, and marijuana has never tried any of these. Thats also why marijuana has a bad rap b/c most people who are against it have never tried it. If they had they'd realize how enjoyable and relaxing it is. they'd also realize how uptight they are. Alcohol and cigarettes KILL more people in the U.S. than any marijuana related incidents. But those are ok to give our 18 and 21 years olds. This country is going in the crapper when we are so worried about a drug that has SIMILAR effects of THC than actual problems in our society!
Does anyone realize the ones most opposed are from Johnson county and the surrounding areas. Why are we letting one or two counties determine the whole states ideals? This absolutely pisses me off. I have nothing against most people from Johnson county,just their politicians, some folks from there are great. But when their politicians are so selfish in their own ideals and inconsiderate of anyone else other than themselves this is what happens. They are more worried about a drug that has SIMILAR effects as marijuana than our local schools crisis. Al;so the officer that said k-2 has the same effects as ecstasy, LSD, and marijuana has never tried any of these. Thats also why marijuana has a bad rap b/c most people who are against it have never tried it. If they had they'd realize how enjoyable and relaxing it is. they'd also realize how uptight they are. Alcohol and cigarettes KILL more people in the U.S. than any marijuana related incidents. But those are ok to give our 18 and 21 years olds. This country is going in the crapper when we are so worried about a drug that has SIMILAR effects of THC than actual problems in our society!
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