KYLE MOVES TO BAN SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA

SAN MARCOS - The Kyle City Council earlier this week took the first
step in banning the sale of synthetic marijuana products known as
"K2" and "Spice."

The council voted 6-1 on first reading to make the purchase, sale or
use of salvia divinorum a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine
of up to $2,000 . The council is planning a final vote at their next meeting.

Kyle Council Member David Wilson said that while he expects K2 will
become illegal everywhere soon, he didn't want to wait to keep it out of Kyle.

"We're saying to business owners, 'We don't want it sold here, thank
you very much,'" Wilson said.

Currently, neither Austin nor San Marcos have laws that prohibit the
sale or use of K2, which has garnered increased attention from both
police officials and lawmakers in recent years.

State Sen. Florence Shapiro , R-Plano, filed a bill last month that
would make the possession or sale of K2 a greater offense than use of
marijuana, placing it on the same level as Ecstasy , PCP and methamphetamines.

K2 is an herbal product that has been sprayed with chemicals. When
smoked, it produces highs similar to marijuana's. K2 can cause
vomiting, hallucinations, elevated blood pressure and other health problems.

It's unclear how widespread use of the drug is in Texas or whether
any deaths had been attributed to the drug here.

Often sold as incense at smoke shops, convenience stores and over the
Internet, K2 is typically marked "not for human consumption."

A federal ban was enacted last year on the chemicals used to create
K2, effectively halting its manufacture but not its sale. It remains
available at head shops and gas stations, among other retailers, in
Central Texas.

Several North Texas cities have taken steps to outlaw K2, including
Dallas, Cleburne, Watauga, Frisco, Plano and McKinney.

Wilson said he's heard numerous reports from law enforcement
officials in the region, though none specifically in Kyle, about the
harmful effects of K2 and similar products.

He said he worries about its popularity among teens and college students.

"You have all kinds of issues related to people showing up in the
emergency room," Wilson said.

The sole no vote on the proposed ban came from Mayor Lucy Johnson ,
who said the efforts of the city's Police Department are better spent
trying to curb "real drugs," such as marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine.

In addition, she said she doubts the use of K2 is widespread in the city.

"I have not heard one complaint in Kyle about people using it," Johnson said.

Johnson also said she is concerned about people who buy K2 legally
elsewhere who come to Kyle and aren't aware of the ordinance, and
might then face fines or arrest.