'SPICE' SALES RAISE ISSUE

Swansboro Police Chief Ed Parrish is concerned about a legal form of
synthetic marijuana that has been wrinkling the brows of police
departments across the country.

"It's being sold as potpourri," Parrish said of the synthetic
marijuana, now available for sale in the community. However, its
effects when smoked are similar to the real thing, and it's also
priced a lot like the real thing.

"This stuff sells for about $30 an ounce," Parrish said.

The "potpourri" is a blend of various spices and herbs that have been
sprayed with a synthetic chemical similar to THC, the psychoactive
compound found in marijuana. Though most packages are marked with the
disclaimer "not for human consumption," the spice blends are not
generally sought for their aromatic appeal.

"It is hallucinogenic," Parrish explained. "Frequently referred to as
synthetic marijuana, it can be as much as 40 percent more
intoxicating than regular marijuana."

The fake pot is sold under several different brand names, such as K2,
Spice and Genie. Some of the brands print an age restriction of 18
and up on their labels.

"Why do you have to be 18 to buy potpourri?" Parrish asked.

But it's the fact that most of the synthetic marijuana does not have
any age restrictions that really concerns Parrish.

"My motivation for getting this out to the public is education and
awareness," Parrish said. "We need to let the parents of middle
school and high school students be aware that this product is out
there, and it's sold as potpourri. A 15-year-old can buy it. A
15-year-old can buy a pipe and they can smoke this stuff."

While synthetic marijuana has been banned from military bases like
Camp Lejeune and cannot be consumed on or off base by military
personnel, North Carolina has not yet regulated the substance.

"It's currently not illegal in the U.S.," Parrish said. "Several
states are looking at trying to ban it," he added. Some states and
even some towns have already been successful in banning the
substance, and synthetic marijuana has been banned in several
European countries as well.

"The federal government and the DEA have not taken a stand on it
yet," he added. However, the DEA does consider the fake pot to be a
"drug of concern."

"It does not currently test positive on a drug test," Parrish said,
and this is a big reason synthetic marijuana is favored by users,
especially those in the military.

Until a drug test capable of screening synthetic marijuana is
developed, users can fly under the radar.

"We're constantly playing catch-up with the criminals," Parrish said.

According to Parrish, a vehicle was pulled over last week because two
people in the car were sharing what appeared to be a crack pipe. It
turned out that the pipe contained only synthetic marijuana and no
arrest was made.

However, Parrish said, his department is looking out for ways to keep
users of fake pot from endangering themselves and others.

"We can charge (users) with careless and reckless driving and we can
attempt to charge them with DWI if we can prove the substance is
impairing," Parrish said.

While not illegal itself, Parrish said evidence of fake pot is often
an indicator of other illicit activity.

"If we see this in the house, it's a tell-tale sign that we need to
look a little further," Parrish said.

Synthetic marijuana was the subject of a recent meeting of area
police chiefs hosted by Parrish in Swansboro.

"Law enforcement in general is hoping to see this become a controlled
substance, for the safety of the general public," Parrish said.
"Currently our hands are tied, except we feel like if (users of fake
pot) drive a car and are under the influence and we can document that
and prove it ... then we may be able to get a charge of DWI or
careless and reckless driving."

According to other news reports, the active chemical in fake pot was
first synthesized in a research laboratory about 15 years ago. That
researcher, Clemson University chemist John Huffman, has gone on the
record warning that the chemical may be harmful and should not be consumed.

Smoking fake pot could have unwanted consequences for users, such as
dangerously high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, hallucinations and paranoia.

As with any drug, synthetic marijuana should not be consumed in
conjunction with operating a vehicle or machinery.

"It is so impairing," Parrish said.