UK: DrugScope Welcomes ACMD Recommendation That 'Spice' Products
Should Be Made Illegal

Medical News today

Monday 17 Aug 2009

DrugScope, has welcomed the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
(ACMD) recommendation that synthetic cannabinoids, found in mixtures
known as 'Spice', should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

'Spice' products, which attempt to imitate the effects of cannabis,
are widely available on the internet and in so-called 'head shops'.
The products are not currently illegal to manufacture, supply or
possess in the UK. The plant-based mix, which does not contain tobacco
or cannabis, is coated with synthetic cannabinoids that mimic the
effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the active ingredient in
cannabis.

DrugScope chief executive Martin Barnes said:

"DrugScope supports the advice that 'Spice' products should be
controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act on the basis that the
substances are likely to have potentially similar effects and harms as
cannabis. While more research is needed on the short and long-term
risks associated with the use of 'Spice', it is consistent with the
Misuse of Drugs Act to control substances which have the potential to
cause significant harms - 'Spice' falls into this category. However,
the move is unusual in that it is based on evidence of potential
effects and harms rather than evidence of actual harms to individuals
and society.

"Evidence suggests that 'Spice' products are readily available via
the internet and in so called 'head shops'. Making the substances
illegal may remove the incentive for the manufacture and supply of
'Spice' as it will be no longer be available as a 'legal' alternative
to cannabis.

"'Spice' products are manufactured to mimic the effects on the brain
of cannabis but chemically they are different, hence the reason why
they are not currently covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act. The
Advisory Council recommends changes to the legislation to include
variations in, and potentially new chemical forms of, substances that
seek to mimic cannabis.

"While we support this pre-emptive move, it does highlight important
questions about the scope and purpose of the Misuse of Drugs Act and
the ability of the legislation to cover so called 'legal highs' and to
keep up with the development of new synthetic drugs. The ACMD's
recommendation to classify 'Spice' alongside cannabis means that the
substances will become Class B drugs, despite the Council's view that
cannabis should be a Class C drug.

"In light of recent decisions by the Government not to follow the
ACMD's advice on cannabis and ecstasy classification and the need to
respond appropriately and proportionately to new substances and harms,
it is time that the classification system was reviewed. Such a review
was promised by the Government in January 2006 and subsequently
abandoned."

Source

DrugScope

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160848.php