Spice In America Research Paper

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Regulating a New Epidemic: Spice in America Stephanie Brush Ivy Tech Community College 10/31/2013 Regulating a New Epidemic: Spice in America Virtually every day, Americans can open a newspaper or turn on the news channel to view accounts on the growing substance abuse problem. No longer primarily isolated to larger cities, many cases are also now reported in local suburban or rural communities. This could be happening due to the emergence of a newer class of psychoactive drugs in the past decade which the internet made fairly available (Mycyk, 2012). They are sometimes known as designer drugs, but are more commonly called synthetic drugs. Though there are several different classes of these substances, one form in particular has become…show more content…
Now retired "Clemson University organic chemist John H. Huffman, a leading scientist in synthetic cannibinoid development, made more than 450 cannibinoid compounds to help advance the treatment of serious ailments like multiple sclerosis, AIDS, and cancer" (Griep, 2013). In an interview with ABC News, Huffman explains that his research apparently fell into the wrong hands, but "doubts that a ban on the substances will keep kids away from it". Organic marijuana has been illegal since 1937, he points out, yet many have completely disregarded those laws. Therefore, prohibition of spice could have a similar outcome. Huffman contrasts the two substances, describing the effects of synthetic cannabinoids as " anecdotal, and comes from things like visits to emergency rooms." Alternately, marijuana has been thoroughly researched. He believes "marijuana should be legalized, since its effects are known. 'It should be sold only to people 21 and older. It should be heavily, heavily taxed'" (Schone & Schecter,…show more content…
(2012, July 19). Increased punishments for drug abuse. In Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Retrieved October 31, 2013, from http://www.seymourjohnson.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123310619 Drug Policy Alliance. (2013, September 25). Knee-Jerk Prohibition of New Drugs Out-of-Step With Momentum for Sentencing and Drug Policy Reform. In The Daily Chronic. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/25695/u-s-senate-hearing-synthetic-drugs-offers-failed-drug-war-policies-past/ Price, E. (2013, May 29). Synthetic drug calls down since law passed. In TheStatehouseFile.com. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from http://thestatehousefile.com/synthetic-drug-calls-down-since-law-passed/12345/ Join Together Staff. (2012, July 10). Obama Signs Legislation Banning Synthetic Drugs. In The Partnership at Drugfree.org. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/drugs/obama-signs-legislation-banning-synthetic-drugs Schone, M. & Schecter, A. (2011, June 7). Legalize Marijuana, Says Inventor of 'Spice' Chemicals. In ABC News. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from
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