Editor, The Georgia General Assembly recently changed the current criminal-code section that deals with synthetic marijuana or “spice” as it commonly is known.
Code section 16-13-25, which identifies Schedule I controlled substances, was amended to exclude the six previous chemical formulas of the synthetic substance. These were JWH-018, HU-210, CP 47-497, JWH-200, JWH-250 and JWH-081. Now the code section bans 13 base chemical categories and three methods of modifying the synthetic compounds.
The base chemicals and modifying methods are common to all the different brands of synthetic marijuana. Before the change, when a specific chemical compound was placed on the banned-substance list, the manufacturers would make a subtle change to the chemical formula, thus making it legal.
By outlawing the base chemicals and modifying methods, the law essentially stopped the various spice/K2 manufacturing companies from being able to tweak a specific formula once it was placed on the banned substance list. Now if a substance contains any of the base chemicals, it’s deemed illegal. This makes sales, possession and manufacture of these compounds a felony in the state of Georgia. If convicted, it carries a possible sentence of up to 30 years.
All merchants who currently have any brands of K2, spice, potpourri or anything similar that is labeled with the warning “not for human consumption” should take the products off their shelves immediately and dispose of them. There is no grace period.
Anyone needing assistance with disposal should call MACE Drug Task Force Capt. James C. Reid at 877-4040.

— James C. Reid
Captain, MACE Drug Task Force