PUBLIC HEARING SLATED ON CITY PLAN TO BAN K2

FORT WAYNE - Residents will have their chance next week to offer input
and opinions on whether a marijuana substitute should be banned in
Fort Wayne.

The City Council will conduct an informal public hearing Tuesday
regarding its proposed ban of substances sold as incense under such
brand names as K2 and Pep. The products are being smoked as a
marijuana substitute.

Councilman Mitch Harper, R-4th, said he will present a short history
of the substance and its nature, as well as efforts to legislate it in
other communities.

He said he will also provide some changes to the proposed ban, which
he authored.

After that, he will provide time for anyone who wishes to address the
council on the subject. He said he might call some people to speak
first, such as health experts, but everyone will be given a chance to
speak.

There will not be a time limit, Harper said, but he asks that speakers
not be repetitive so the council can stay on task.

Several people have already come to the council in support of the ban,
while others have asked the council to only regulate it so adults can
still buy it. No one has told the council about using the substance
for incense - even proponents admitted they smoked it.

Earlier Tuesday, Wayne Township Trustee Rick Stevenson will conduct a
public event on what the community can do to reduce the danger of the
substance.

The product contains chemicals similar to THC, the ingredient that
gives users their high.

Products such as K2 come in packages labeled "not for consumption" and
typically lack a list of its ingredients or origin, although the K2
website says it is packaged in Hong Kong.

Dr. Deb McMahan, Allen County health commissioner, has previously said
the substance should be treated like marijuana, although she would not
specifically say it should be banned.

The existing bill would impose fines of up to $1,000 for possession of
the substance and fines of $2,500 for selling it in Fort Wayne. The
New Haven City Council is also considering legislation to ban the products.