DEA examines control of 'fake' marijuana distributed to young people

Marijuana plant

Advertised as a high without legal or physical problems, synthetic materials are being sold to young people as "fake marijuana" claimed to give a similar "high," but the Drug Enforcement Division is reviewing banning them.


Mississippi has already passed legislation outlawing the sale of what is called "spice," a synthetic marijuana.

The DEA is looking towards emergency control of five chemicals that are used to make "fake pot" products.  This could make possessing and selling these chemicals or products illegal for at least a year while the DEA decides whether they should be permanently controlled.

A Notice of Intent has been issued to the people regarding these chemicals.

Over the past year, smokable herbal blends marketed as being “legal” and providing a marijuana-like high, have become increasingly popular, particularly among teens and young adults.  These products consist of plant material that has been coated with research chemicals that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, and are sold at a variety of retail outlets, in head shops and over the Internet.  These chemicals, however, have not been approved by the FDA for human consumption and there is no oversight of the manufacturing process.  Brands such as “Spice,” “K2,” “Blaze,” and “Red X Dawn” are labeled as incense to mask their intended purpose.

“The American public looks to the DEA to protect its children and communities from those who would exploit them for their own gain,” said DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart.  “Makers of these harmful products mislead their customers into thinking that ‘fake pot’ is a harmless alternative to illegal drugs, but that is not the case. Today’s action will call further attention to the risks of ingesting unknown compounds and will hopefully take away any incentive to try these products.”