CLINTON-INSPIRED COUNCIL MEETS TO REGULATE HERBS

SALT LAKE CITY -- A new state council that originated from a Clinton
lawmaker's legislation will consider cracking down on the use of two
unregulated herbs circulating as recreational drugs.

The Controlled Substances Advisory Committee met for the first time on
Wednesday to consider suggesting state regulations on three items: the
herb Salvia divinorum, the herb called Spice and the prescription drug
Tramadol.

Earlier this year, the Weber School District banned Spice and Hill Air
Force Base banned Salvia divinorum from use at their locations and
were among the first entities in the state to take action on the
herbal items. The products are legal and do not show up on drug tests,
but both produce hallucinogenic or marijuana-like effects in some
people when smoked.

"These products are promoted as herbal incense. That is one way to get
around the law," said Glen Hanson, a University of Utah professor of
pharmacology and toxicology who is a member of the committee.

In the 2010 legislative session, Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton, sponsored a
bill to create the advisory committee after hearing complaints from
his district about the items.

The committee is charged with examining the two herbal items for
possible banishment or regulation, but committee members were told
that it may be difficult to write laws aimed at herbs laced with
different combinations of drugs.

For example, Hanson said that Spice, which is known by various names,
such as K2 or Yucatan Fire, is laced with varying synthetic compounds
from China, all chemically similar to the THC found in marijuana.

That is why Dr. David Sund-wall, who chairs the committee and is the
director of the Utah Health Department, wants to methodically study
how to effectively control the herbal products.

But Sundwall said he does not want to be railroaded into making a
quick decision.

"How can we regulate something that can constantly change?" Sundwall
said after the meeting.

Salvia divinorum, also called Sally D or magic mint, is a plant of
Mexican origin and has not been well-studied, yet has been banned in
more than half a dozen states. Both herbs are available in some Top of
Utah smoke shops.

But several law enforcement members of the committee urged action on
the herbs, saying the items are a common topic among officers in Utah
drug interdiction efforts.

The prescription drug Tramadol is an approved analgesic but reports of
abuse have the committee considering whether to make it a scheduled
drug, which restricts its distribution.

Ray said Wednesday he does not want to interfere with the committee's
efforts and did not attend the meeting.

"I want the committee to take an independent and objective look at
this," he said.

Gov. Gary Herbert has yet to fill several vacant spots on the
committee.

The legislation dictates the advisory group must report back to
lawmakers by Oct. 1 with suggestions on how to deal with the products.