Assembly Passes Legislation Banning Synthetic Marijuana

May 23, 2012

Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi (D-Utica) announced the Assembly passed a bill he sponsored to add the primary chemicals found in synthetic marijuana to the list of controlled substances (A.9855-A).

“Synthetic marijuana and other designer drugs can be even more dangerous than the drugs they are meant to mimic,” said Brindisi. “And with use of these substances continuing to grow, there is no time to waste.”

In 2011 the state placed a ban on chemicals in designer drugs known as “bath salts” (Ch. 130), and earlier this year, the New York State Department of Health banned all sales and distribution of synthetic marijuana. The order only subjected violators to civil action. This legislation would create criminal penalties and make possession of this substance a Class A misdemeanor.

“We owe it to our children and families to ban these drugs,” Brindisi said. “I will continue working to enact this common sense legislation into law.”

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