Washington Board Passed Emergency Rule Banning Synthetic Marijuana

January 13, 2011 2:33 PM

Effective January 7, 2011, the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana products known as “K2” and “Spice” is illegal in Washington under emergency rules adopted by the Washington State Board of Pharmacy. The chemicals are often sprayed on incense products sold in smoke shops and head shops and users typically smoke these products in ways similar to smoking marijuana. The Washington State Poison Center has seen a growing number of calls about ingesting these substances in 2010. According to the Poison Center, there was an eight-fold increase in ingestion-based calls in 2010 compared with 2009.

The Board’s emergency rules mirror the new federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) temporary rules banning these substances. The Board voted to classify synthetic marijuana chemicals as Schedule I CS in Washington, which will make them illegal to make, possess, and sell. The Board hopes the ban will serve as a deterrent to synthetic marijuana sales in Washington. More information is available on the Washington State Board of Pharmacy Web site.