Iowa Board Passes Emergency Rule Placing Synthetic Cannabinoids into Schedule I

July 29, 2010 10:02 AM

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy adopted and filed an emergency rule that places synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I of the Iowa Uniform Controlled Substances Act, and has effectively banned certain products that are marketed as incense, but are laced with the deadly drugs. The Board stressed that these substances are from five to 800 times more potent than the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana and can lead to seizures, acute anxiety, panic, elevated blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and other potentially fatal reactions. Numerous deaths have occurred, including, most recently, that of an Iowa teen who shot himself while experiencing a panic attack after smoking one of the incense products. Although product packaging cautions that the contents are not for human consumption, products containing synthetic cannabinoids are being abused by adults and minors, as stated in the Board’s rule summary. Iowa Governor Chet Culver expressed support for the Board’s decision as “an important step to protect public safety.” On February 17, 2010 – based on several months of research, public comments, and public hearings – the Iowa Board of Pharmacy recommended to the Iowa state legislature that marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule II controlled substance, which could allow medical uses of the drug.