Synthetic drugs started in London in 2004 when a group of people found
a way to manufacture a compound that delivered similar results to marijuana.
This compound goes by the name of spice, and by 2008 it hopped the pond
and made it’s way to the states.
Spice, or K2 as it’s sometimes called, became wildly popular over
the years. It isn’t technically pot, so it was bought and sold in
head-shops across America like chewing gum and baseball cards.
This presented quite the predicament to lawmakers and police. There were
no laws on the books that regulated this in any way shape or form, but
K2 is just as potent as regular pot. Not to mention the dangerous side effects.
Lawmakers and politicians rushed to make laws that outlawed synthetic drugs,
but manufacturers seemed to be one step ahead. By tweaking the formula
ever so slightly, manufacturers were able to get around laws.
This was the case in most states, including Florida, until recently. Motivated
by a wave synthetic drug scandals and abuses, Florida lawmakers have passed
multiple laws banning the chemicals used to make synthetic drugs since 2008.
The most recent set of laws passed in state Congress brings the number
of banned chemicals to 136.
Florida State Attorney General Pam Bondi is largely credited for spearheading the bill, and for the overall efforts
to ban synthetic drugs.
It’s unclear whether this new law will be the final nail in the coffin,
or if manufacturers will continue to find new ways to make synthetic drugs.
However, it seems that state lawmakers are determined to keep passing
laws to stop synthetic drugs from being made or sold in Florida.
The penalties for getting caught with synthetic drugs is equally as harsh,
if not harsher, than getting caught with regular drugs. If you’ve
been charged with possession of drugs, synthetic or natural, call us for
a free consultation.