VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS PROPOSE BAN ON SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA

Richmond, Va. -- The herbs themselves may seem innocuous, but when
laced with a special manmade chemical and smoked, the result can be
more potent than marijuana.

This so-called synthetic marijuana, known by such names as Spice and
K2, is legal in Virginia. It can be purchased online, in convenience
stores and at tobacco shops. But it may not be legal for long.

Some state lawmakers have proposed banning the synthetic-marijuana
substances in Virginia, as they have been outlawed in 13 other states.
The U.S. military has banned the possession and use of it by service
members. The Navy has placed several Hampton Roads businesses off
limits to military personnel because they sell these types of substances.

Fort Lee has not yet taken that step. Soldiers stationed at the Army
installation in Prince George County are not banned from area
establishments that sell Spice, though they are still prohibited from
using it.

"All the units are very aware about this particular substance," said
Joy Metzger, deputy public affairs officer at Fort Lee. "They're
educating the soldiers about it."

Spice is a synthetic blend of chemically treated, smokable leaves.
With the addition of chemicals similar to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
- -- THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis -- the herbs can
provide a legal high.

But that was not the intent when synthetic compounds such as JWH-018
and JWH-073 were developed in John W. Huffman's laboratory more than
10 years ago. JWH-018 and JWH-073 have been found in some synthetic
marijuana.

"I want to stress that these compounds were not meant for human
consumption," Huffman, a research professor in organic chemistry at
Clemson University, wrote an in e-mail. "Their effects in humans have
not been studied, and they could very well have toxic effects. They
absolutely should not be used as recreational drugs."

His research is geared at understanding the interactions between
cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other organs. The receptors
play a role in regulating appetite, nausea, mood, pain and
inflammation. They may also be involved in the development of such
conditions as osteoporosis, liver disease and some kinds of cancer.

Huffman said synthetic cannabinoids can help researchers understand
these interactions and may contribute to the development of new
therapies. They have been discussed in scientific publications.

"Evidently," he wrote in the e-mail, "some people have figured out how
to make them and are putting them in products marketed as incense."

Synthetic-marijuana substances are increasing in popularity among
recreational drug users, with reports of problems from across the
country, though few instances have been reported in the Richmond area.

School officials in Richmond and in Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico
counties said there have been no reported problems with students using
Spice in their schools.

Hanover Sheriff's Capt. Michael J. Trice said the county has
documented incidents where Spice has been consumed, but added, "We are
not currently aware of any serious complications resulting from its
use in Hanover County."

But it is available. Small foil packets of Spice and K2 were being
sold for $14.99 in a downtown Richmond convenience store last week.

Kristen J. Howard, executive director of the Virginia State Crime
Commission, said her staff will brief the commission on the issue at
its meeting today, calling it a drug of concern because of its effects
similar to marijuana.

"Because of its growth and the attention it is receiving, it is
something the commission members wanted to take a look at now prior to
the upcoming General Assembly session," she said.

The staff will report on what other states are doing and present draft
legislation.

Del. T. Scott Garrett, R-Lynchburg, is one of several state lawmakers
- -- Republicans and Democrats in the House and the Senate -- who have
filed legislation to list synthetic marijuana as a Schedule 1
controlled substance, and make punishment for possession and
distribution of it similar to that of actual marijuana. The 2011
General Assembly will convene Jan. 12.

Garrett, who was informed by Lynchburg police vice officers of an
increase in Spice use among that city's students, said he has yet to
reach out to other lawmakers about their stance on banning synthetic
marijuana. But because officials from both parties have filed bills,
"it certainly seems to be there is bipartisan support for that."

Medical professionals caution that the synthetic cannabinoids are more
potent than THC found naturally in cannabis. They present the same
health risk and the same chance of being abused, if not more so,
because of their potency, said M. Imad Damaj, a professor in the
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth
University.

Because synthetic marijuana is a relatively new designer drug, its
long-term affects are not known. But some Spice users have sought
medical attention after smoking the drug. Users have reported that
Spice speeds up the heart rate, causes nausea, paranoia and in some
cases, seizures.

Dr. Kirk Cumpston, medical director of the Virginia Poison Center,
said he is not aware of any cases of synthetic-marijuana use resulting
in death.

"I think the cardiovascular effects on the heart get people worried
because they feel palpitations, and maybe they hallucinate a little
bit more," Cumpston said.

Routine testing for marijuana will not detect the synthetic
substances.

Damaj said parents need to raise awareness of the drug.

"Parents need to be very concerned because these are much more potent
than natural cannabinoids," said Damaj, who is on the board of
Substance Abuse Free Environment Inc. in Chesterfield County. "We know
that cannabinoids can possibly act as a gateway drug . . . to use
harder drugs, such as cocaine, opiates and others."