Kokomo — A synthetic herb mixture that is sold as incense is causing quite a stir with state and local legislators.
State lawmakers are preparing to present legislation that would ban the synthetic marijuana substitute known as K-2 or Spice, which is generating public health concern across the country.
Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, says he’ll introduce legislation in the 2011 session to outlaw the sale and use of the product. Rep. John Barnes, D-Indianapolis, also hopes to sponsor a bill banning spice.
The mixture of herbs and spices is sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
Although the product is marketed as incense, it is commonly smoked and the effects can cause lowered blood pressure, nausea, impaired psychomotor coordination, lack of concentration and short-term memory loss.
The product is illegal in eight states but not Indiana.
At least four counties in the state have already banned store sales of the product, including most recently Allen County on Friday. Several other municipalities, including Howard County, Kokomo and Peru, are also considering similar bans.
The use of the substance is also raising eyebrows in other parts of the state after several people have reportedly gotten sick from smoking the synthetic pot.
Local hospitals have treated several people for illnesses they reported after smoking Spice, but none of the reports have been life-threatening.
“We’ve had a couple of cases, but nothing serious,” said Monette Allen, manager of emergency department at St. Joseph Hospital.
“Unfortunately, cases are not unusual with the variety of recreational drugs out here. “We had some with hallucinations, but no life-threatening injuries or illnesses.”
Commissioners in central Indiana’s Boone County voted Aug. 16 to ban the sale of the substance. Violation of the ordinance can result in a fine of up to $1,000.
Kokomo Police Chief Rob Baker has seen first-hand the effects of Spice use and he wants it off store shelves in Kokomo.
“I’ve talked to people who have done it and kids who have done it,” the chief said. “It’s not being used as incense. It’s being used as smoking material like marijuana. Somebody has got to step up to the plate and say we can’t allow it to happen. It’s similar to someone cooking meth. You don’t know what properties are in it once its ingested. I don’t want to see one of my friends lose their children because of it.”
Baker gave a presentation last week to the city council to help local lawmakers create an ordinance banning the sale and use of the substance.
“It’s only going to get worse,” Baker said of the growing problem.
Baker said a state-wide ban would be nice, but it will take time.
“I don’t think we can wait that long,” he said of the state proposal, which isn’t expected until next July. “It’s better to be ahead of the game instead of behind it.”
Sold in several tobacco stores, gas stations and “head shops” in the area, the substances costs about $20 per gram or $75 for packages of 3 grams. Comparably, marijuana usually goes for anywhere between $5 and $15 per gram on the streets, according to police.
While some experts claim the legal substance is four to five times as potent as THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, others claim its 10 times as powerful.
Regardless, officials are taking its use seriously and hoping to keep it off the store shelves in Kokomo.
“It’s definitely a good idea,” said Howard County Sheriff Marty Talbert of the ban.
“I don’t think we’ve run into it yet,” he said. “But obviously it’s dangerous.”
Gary Elvers, owner of Elvie’s, 1300 W. Mulberry St., which sells small packages of Spice, believes lawmakers should reconsider the ban.
“I think its ridiculous,” he said. “We sell it as an incense only and that’s the way the product is marketed. I haven’t had anyone saying anything negative about it.”
• Mike Fletcher is the Kokomo Tribune crime reporter. He can be reached at 765-454-8565 or mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com.
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