Res. No. 29
Title
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2722/A.2970A, which would ban chemicals substantially similar to those already designated as controlled substances.
Body
By Council Member Cabrera
Whereas, Synthetic cannabinoids refers to a range of herbal mixtures sprayed with chemicals in order to produce mind-altering effects; and
Whereas, Often known by other names such as synthetic marijuana, K2, spice, or spike, synthetic cannabinoids are consumed as recreational drugs; and
Whereas, According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers ("AAPCC"), health effects from synthetic cannabinoids can be life-threatening and can include severe agitation, seizures, intense hallucinations, and psychotic episodes; and
Whereas, Since 2010, AAPCC has tracked the number of calls made to poison centers due to adverse reactions to these drugs; and
Whereas, AAPCC's data show that in the first eleven months of 2017, 1,837 such calls were made across the country, 151 calls were made in New York; and
Whereas, In New York City, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued a warning in April of 2015 detailing the potential dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, citing that in a one-week period in early April, there had been more than 120 emergency room visits related to these drugs; and
Whereas, In response to the drugs' increased use in recent years, all 50 states have banned some forms of synthetic drugs since 2011, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures; and
Whereas, Laws often target specific ingredients used in these drugs, but manufacturers have tried to avoid prosecution by continually changing the chemical composition of banned substances to create similar substances not yet outlawed; and
Whereas, Thirty-four states have responded with "analogue laws"-laws that ban drugs with chemical structures and effects substantially similar to those of already prohibited substan...
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