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Emergency Ban on Synthetic Marijuana Is Extended

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:53:55 EST

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is extending its ban on five chemicals used to make synthetic marijuana for six more months. The initial ban, which is expiring soon, was initially supposed to be a year long. The agency filed a notice in the Federal Register that will mean the substances will remain illegal.
 
The five banned chemicals are cannabicyclohexanol, JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, and CP-47, 497. They are used to coat plant material, which is then marketed as herbal incense under names such as K2, Blaze, Spice, and Red X Dawn. These products claim to mimic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana.
 
The DEA has these chemicals classified as Schedule 1 substances, which is the most restrictive category under the Controlled Substances Act. It is reserved for drugs with a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical purpose in the United States, and the absence of accepted safety measures for its use under medical supervision.
 
Poison control centers reported approximately 13,000 calls concerning problems with synthetic drugs in 2011, according to CNN. Emergency room doctors say that the symptoms associated with the use of these drugs are convulsions, elevated heart rates, vomiting, and disorientation. Synthetic marijuana products are especially popular with teens and young adults.
 
EMSL Analytical, one of the nation's largest consumer products testing laboratories, has been busy testing these products to help determine their content. 'Since the ban took effect, new products are coming onto the markets claiming they do not contain synthetic chemicals and that they are strictly herbal,' reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL. 'EMSL's cutting-edge laboratory can test these products for the public, manufacturers, law enforcement, and public health officials.'
 
To learn more about consumer products testing please call (800) 220-3675, visit www.EMSL.com or www.ConsumerProductsTesting.com, or email info@EMSL.com.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of food, environmental, and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies.