Last updated : November 11, 2024
It just became harder to obtain or manufacture fake marijuana in Ohio. The state has officially banned two of the chemicals commonly used to create synthetic marijuana. Typically sold as herbal incense under names like Kush, Spice and K2, synthetic marijuana is often available in head shops, convenience stores and online. The products are popular among teens and young adults. They typically consist of chemical-infused plant materials resembling potpourri and are marketed as safe, natural alternatives to marijuana. Synthetic marijuana may produce similar or more intense effects than natural marijuana, but it typically does not show up on drug tests. Although formal scientific and medical studies are few, the products have been linked to serious side effects like strokes, heart attacks and kidney damage.
Two Down; What’s Next?
Ohio’s ban applies to chemicals known as PB-22 and 5F-PB-22. The drugs produce physical and psychological effects similar to those of amphetamines, but they last longer. Any compound containing the same basic chemical structure as either of the two banned substances is now considered illegal, even if it is not fully developed. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classified the drugs as illegal back in February, but it was only on a temporary basis. The new Ohio legislation makes them permanently illegal throughout the state. Difficulties in regulating synthetic marijuana production stem from the habit of underground chemists to change their formulas in reaction to bans on specific substances; this strategy allows them to effectively stay one step ahead of the law.
Keeping Ohio Safe
PB-22 and 5F-PB-22 first caught the attention of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation early in 2013. The state pharmacy board and the attorney general’s office began taking steps to make the drugs illegal last June. Anyone who is discovered purchasing or selling the compounds is now breaking Ohio law and will face criminal charges. Whether drugs are synthetic underground products or common street drugs like heroin or methamphetamines, they have the potential to destroy the lives of Ohio families. The new ban is part of an ongoing effort by state officials to prevent the dire consequences of drug abuse in Ohio.
