Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Nelson
St. Paul, Minn.

Senate committee approves ban on synthetic marijuana

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
synthetic pot K2
In this Feb. 15, 2010 photo, Conner Moore, 20, displays a three-gram package of K2, at his home in Columbia, Mo. Produced in China and Korea, the mixture of herbs and spices is sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Users roll it up in joints or inhale it from pipes, just like the real thing. Though banned in most of Europe, K2's key ingredients are not regulated in the United States.
Associated Press

A Minnesota Senate panel has advanced an effort to ban synthetic marijuana and other similar drugs.

The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee voted Thursday to consider the measure as part of a broader drug policy bill.

Under the bill, possession of synthetic marijuana and other substances would be a misdemeanor. The sale of such products would also be illegal. Republican Sen. Carla Nelson of Rochester said it's wrong that stores can now sell synthetic marijuana as a harmless products, such as as incense or bath salts.

"According to our current laws, these substances are legal," Nelson said. "And the goal of my legislation is to get these off the shelves of our stores. These ought not be legal products. They are not harmless."

The Minnesota House passed a similar stand-alone bill earlier this session. The House also added the language to a Health and Human Services budget bill earlier this week.

Gallery
1 of 1
synthetic pot K2
In this Feb. 15, 2010 photo, Conner Moore, 20, displays a three-gram package of K2, at his home in Columbia, Mo. Produced in China and Korea, the mixture of herbs and spices is sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Users roll it up in joints or inhale it from pipes, just like the real thing. Though banned in most of Europe, K2's key ingredients are not regulated in the United States.
Associated Press