STATE BANS BATH SALTS AND OTHER FORMERLY LEGAL HIGHS

The Washington State Department of Health announced that the sale and
possession of pseudo-drugs such as "bath salts," "Spice," "K-2,"
"plant food," "Ivory Wave" and "White Lightning" is now illegal.

The chemicals, which recently saw a rise in popularity and sales in
tobacco stores and head shops, mimic the effects of cocaine, LSD,
ecstasy and/or methamphetamine. An Oct. 3 news release from the DOH
indicates that "products containing synthetic marijuana (cannabinoids)
or synthetic stimulants (substituted cathinones) are illegal under a
ban by the state Board of Pharmacy."

The DOH notes that these substances are now classified as Schedule I
controlled substances, which represents the strictest level of control
and enforcement. According to the DOH, the Board of Pharmacy enacted
two emergency bans starting in April to figure out how to combat the
rising use of these chemicals. The ban will go into effect no later
than Nov. 3, and "gives clear authority to law enforcement to
prosecute for the manufacture, distribution, sale and possession of
these substances."

Bath salts can cause increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure,
anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, chest pains and other harmful
effects, according to the board.

In Federal Way, police officers have had two contacts with people
under the influence of bath salts in the past year, according to
police spokeswoman Cathy Schrock.

The first case, which happened in April, involved a man and a woman
who were outside their apartment, naked and yelling. According to the
information provided by Schrock, the male believed he was being
possessed by the devil. Police investigated further, and discovered
eight to nine empty packets of bath salts in the couple's apartment.

In July, police responded to a call of a young man who said he was
being threatened by "shadowy figures with guns." The young man
admitted to police that he had used bath salts.

According to the Board of Pharmacy, bath salts are sold in smoke
shops, head shops and over the Internet as legal alternatives to
illegal drugs. The products contain cathinone chemicals that behave
like methamphetamine or cocaine. The Board's website also shares that,
like the real drugs of cocaine and meth, users often snort bath salts
to get high.

Spice and K-2, according to the website, "are a type of synthetic
marijuana." Manufacturers of the substance spray the chemical onto
incense, according to the Board of Pharmacy.

The bans come in the wake of "reports of car crashes, self-
mutilations, suicides and homicides linked to the use of these drugs,"
according to the DOH. The potency and duration of these chemicals can
vary greatly, according to the Board of Pharmacy, and "affect
behavior, judgment and health and can cause serious harm when used."