Marijuana, synthetic; penalties for possession, intent to sell, distribute, etc. (HB1878)
Introduced By
Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax Station)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
☐ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Penalties for possession, sale, gift, distribution or possession with intent to sell, give or distribute synthetic marijuana. Creates a new category for synthetic marijuana as a series of controlled substances listed in Schedule 1 ( 54.1-3446) of the Drug Control Act ( 54.1-3400 et seq.). Notwithstanding the provisions regarding punishment for possession and distribution of controlled substances listed in Schedule 1, punishment for possession and distribution of synthetic marijuana is largely in accord with the provisions for actual marijuana. Read the Bill »
Status
01/31/2011: Merged into HB1434
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/11/2011 | Committee |
| 01/11/2011 | Impact statement from (HB1878) |
| 01/11/2011 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/12/11 11100904D |
| 01/11/2011 | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
| 01/11/2011 | Impact statement from VCSC (HB1878) |
| 01/21/2011 | Assigned Courts sub: #1 Criminal |
| 01/24/2011 | Subcommittee recommends incorporating (HB1434-Garrett) |
| 01/31/2011 | Incorporated by Courts of Justice (HB1434-Garrett) |
Comments
This is a terrible idea. When will our government learn that driving these products underground will just result in a black market for these items. What research has been done on this before introducing this legislation?
Schedule 1, really? Just because some irresponsible person abused this and could not feel their arms and feet does not immediately warrant a ban.
Nutmeg can hurt you far worse than this substance.
Compared to alcohol, how is this worse?
Please use common sense and kill this bill immediately. This is a step backwards in the failed war on drugs. Take a step forward and control this substance. Do not give gangs and dealers another product to make a profit.
When there is already enough debate over whether or not the war on drugs (particularly involving cannibis) has done more harm than good to our society, in what way does it become a good idea to then extend its reach?
Vote down this bill. Support a serious look at Virginia's illegal drug policies.
Yeah, sure. Give the violent drug cartels something else to sell and buy or politicizations with. You can't get rid of something by prohibiting it.
Kansas City reporter Peter Rugg tried synthetic marijuana and wrote about it last year, providing the most useful reporting that I've read on this topic yet. He concludes:
It's not clear to me why this should be made illegal. It doesn't appear to cause any harm. It's one thing to want to take the nanny-state approach and stop people from harming themselves, but there's no harm here. Why bother?
How about banning oregano,mint and any other substance that an idiot may try to smoke?
If there was no penalty for stealing, more people would steal...if there isnt a penalty for this stuff, more people will do it...think about it
This is pretty ridiculous. The effect is pretty weak at best, it doesn't even smell good (Some people think it does though.), I've never known ANYONE to get hurt by it even after daily, extended use. I myself just gave up on it while it was legal, it wasn't even worth the high prices in the stores. I'd never use it again, regarless of legality. And guess what, all the people that had it before, still have it, unless they just moved on.
It's a fact that the effects of making drugs criminal, is worse than the effects of just letting people use them in the first place. Making drugs illegal leads to more problems than just letting them be.
This legislation is absurd. It should be reversed. Honestly, who cares if people want to sit around watching movies and use some stuff. You know that if there is a black market, prices could potentially be even lower. I know you can buy K2 online for MUCH cheaper illegally than you could when it was 20+ dollars a gram in the stores.
Stupid law makers.