'Spice'highs no longer legally possible in Mississippi

Carol Forsloff - “We are sending a message with this law, saying Mississippi will not
tolerate the clever disguising and marketing of harmful substances,” was
the response to legislators outlawing "spice."

 Continuing with his support of this new law,  Jim Hood, Attorney General

for the State of Mississippi said, “I applaud our lawmakers for
recognizing the great need for this legislation. "

Bipartisan support allowed the passage of Senate Bill 2004, initiated by Senator Michael Watson and was adopted on August 27.
This is what the bill provides:

-penalties that mirror those in the marijuana statute.  Mississippi
penalties for possession of controlled substances are outlined in the
Uniform Controlled Substances Law.  Code Section 41-29-139 (b) (3)
states that offenders may be imprisoned up to three years and fined up
to $3,000 for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.

-retailers must immediately stop selling “spice” and similar products,
and have until October 1, 2010 to get such products back to
distributors.

“Spice” is a synthetic marijuana that Mississippi and other areas of
the country have seen grow in use, with convenience stores and other
businesses participating in the sales of a product that is marketed as
"incense."  When smoked it produces a high similar to marijuana.


The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature. 

This comes about as states in the West, like Oregon and California, are looking to license marijuana for recreational use.