Georgia law covered every prior known compound of ‘spice,’ no arrest
authority for new compound

By Joy Lukachick
Chattanooga Times Free Press

ATLANTA – Georgia lawmakers thought they had created a law with teeth that
would allow police to regulate a synthetic marijuana sold as “spice,” but
two weeks after the bill passed, chemists created a new compound for the
drug.

Chase’s Law, which passed in March, covered every known compound that had
been previously used in the drug, said Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency
Director Rick Allen. But then the crime lab discovered an entirely new
compound that gives a similar high to other synthetic marijuana products and
is just as dangerous.

This photo released by the McMinnville Police Department shows seized
synthetic cannabinoids. The drugs, sold as incense under names including
Spice, K2 and Yucatan Fire, are banned in the state of Oregon. (AP
Photo/McMinnville Police Department)

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Users experience similar symptoms as with other forms of synthetic marijuana
- altered mental states, lethargy, short-term coma, seizures and psychosis.
Some users also have been hospitalized.

This week, Georgia State Board of Pharmacy adopted an emergency rule
classifying the new compounds of synthetic cannabinoids as Schedule I
substances, giving police the authority to seize any packets sold in stores.
But authorities won’t have authority to arrest anyone.

Authorities admit that the constant shifting of ingredients in synthetic
marijuana is an ongoing problem in both Georgia and Tennessee and it will
take time to figure out how to keep the drugs off shelves.

“This is all new stuff to us,” said Brad Byerley, resident agent in charge
of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration office in Chattanooga. “This is
the stuff that is keeping me awake at night, trying to get a handle on it.”

But authorities don’t even know all the chemicals used to create the newly
discovered drug, Allen said.

Large supplies of the compound already have been seized in multiple Georgia
counties, he said. Some of the stores get rid of the fake pot when they hear
that’s it’s banned, but that doesn’t stop the manufacturers.

Each time the chemical compound is banned, manufacturers go around the law
and create a new formula, said Floyd County District Attorney Leigh
Patterson.

So when a new chemical is created that isn’t on the list, law enforcement
doesn’t have the authority to seize the packets, even if they believe
they’re a form of fake pot, Allen said.

The new emergency ban requested by Gov. Nathan Deal gives police the
authority to seize the drugs if the compound tests positive for the five new
chemical ingredients. And, if possible, the state Board of Pharmacy may have
to address the issue again if more chemicals are made, Deal said in a
statement.

Authorities said they will continue trying to change the law until the drug
can’t be sold in any form, but no one knows exactly how that will be done.

“We’ve never had a drug you can just buy like a pack of gum,” Allen said.
“We’re having to look at this differently than it’s ever been.”

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