Dallas could become largest city in Texas to outlaw "marijuana substitutes"

[derby378]

After some discussion about the dangers of the marijuana substitute K2, the Dallas City Council's public safety committee agreed today to move forward on banning its possession and sale in the city.

K2 is legally sold around the city with the promise that it provides a high along the lines of marijuana.

Council members have expressed concern about the availability and safety of K2 and the chemicals it contains.

"The symptoms this has had on folks has been bizarre. Some of the folks we have heard about using this product, some are still hallucinating," said Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway.

http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/08/dallas-council-moves-forward-o.html

Possession could possibly bring a fine as high as $2,000 within city limits if this passes.

[hobbit709]

1. What a crock!

Maybe we should start the banana peel rumor again.

[Wilms]

2. For many people who have to piss in a cup, alcohol is the alternative to marijuana.

I call it an intended consequence.

[tritsofme]

3. At least pot is a plant.

Who knows what this unregulated likely Chinese made "substitute" actually is. I would venture to guess it could actually be dangerous, unlike the real stuff.

I certainly reccomennd that people think twice before putting something like this into your body.

[derby378]

4. Peruvian, actually

Or at least the K2 stuff comes from Peru. It's a blend of various herbs that are listed on the back of the package. Someone claims they're sprayed with a chemical that's similar to THC, but I don't know enough about that to comment further.

[tritsofme]

7. Does that sound safe to you?

Herbs sprayed by some chemical? Maybe they are same herbs listed on the package, maybe not.

Like I said earlier, this sounds like the type of stuff the government has a legitimate interest in keeping off the street, not a plant in the ground.

[derby378]

8. Here's what I want to see happen

The manufactuers of K2 should disclose to the Federal government the exact composition of each proprietary blend they sell, including whatever cannabinoid they are sprayed with. This way, potential adverse effects from interactions with other herbs or pharmaceuticals can be clearly documented by Federal pharmacologists.

If the government is uncomfortable with people "rolling their own" K2, they could establish standards for cigarettes manufactured with K2, where a regular-size cigarette could contain some 0.75 grams of K2 Summit in a blend of ordinary tobacco. This would make it easier to tax K2 and other "herbal incense" compounds the same way traditional cigarettes and alcohol are taxed.

Also, no sales to anyone under 21 years of age, and no driving under the influence of K2. I think that would work out just fine.

[eShirl]

11. The real thing is known to be safer than aspirin; this fake stuff, who knows?

One thing I know for sure, I'm not going to be their guinea pig.

[eShirl]

9. SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JWH-018

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JWH-081

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JWH-073

[derby378]

13. Thanks for the links!

:hi:

[Romulox]

16. K2 is a substance that is made in China, and sprayed with a synthetic cannaboid.

:hi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K2_(drug)

[Uben]

5. Of course you can get high on K-2.....

...it's the second highest mountain in the world! Google is my friend!

[derby378]

6. Seal of approval!

[w8liftinglady]

10. OK..this middle-aged lady is gonna admit..I have smoked K2 before

As a nurse-absolutely no pot,as we are subject to drug exams.I needed to chill,and K2 was recommended by a friend(can't drink alcohol).K2 is not consistent in what they pack,so you get high "differently" each pack.I agree,the contents need to be displayed as amount...and standardized.
If it isn't liquor,Texas isn't gonna approve it...although there are too many alcoholics suffering here.

[derby378]

12. Standardization would definitely be the way to go

That way, you could still market different blends, each with its own flavor, while still ensuring that the dose is not so out of whack that it warrants a trip to the emergency room.

Everything is poison, nothing is poison. How many people wound up in the ER because they had too much alcohol, which is still perfectly legal?

I don't smoke at all, but I've seen folks smoke K2, and they handled it just fine. They were in a safe and relaxing place, not at work, and not behind the wheel. And the duration lasted 30-50 minutes.

[w8liftinglady]

18. I have seen kids nearly die from alcohol OD

...as well as literally thousands of DWI victims.Alcohol was a big contributor of a lot of my ICU patients' admission,as I saw tons with alcohol withdrawel and liver failure.Alcohol addiction and withdrawel are horrific for these patients...and once you're addicted,it's tough to stop.On the other hand,I have had a lot of patients who smoke pot....I have yet to see one with that as their admitting diagnosis.I would still not recommend driving while high,as it does cause some changes in perception,but in the big scheme of things,marijuana has medical benefits,alcohol does not-except for topically...

[slampoet]

14. The mayor is hallucinating victims in an election year. Common for hacks like him.

[derby378]

15. That's pretty much what I'm thinking

I've even run across this one guy who said he smokes K2 because it keeps him off illegal stuff like marijuana. Arguments over marijuana aside, I think that carries weight in itself.

[Ezlivin]

17. But what about the children's health!!!!!!

And these are the same fucking hypocrites that have allowed our air quality to plummet so low that the EPA has had to step in.

You can operate a gas well 600 feet from a playground, but you can't sell a bong within a 1000 feet.

Yep. They got their priorities straight—straight from the corporations that own them.