Yes, the government did crack down on synthetic marijuana products by banning the sale of some of the chemicals used in the products. But no, the problem didn't go away. The manufacturers just switched to different chemicals.According to a report from the Duluth News Tribune, it's business as usual in the fake weed market.
In an interview with the newspaper, an owner of a local "head shop" said the government's ban on those specific five chemicals won't make much of a difference.
Just Switching to Different Chemicals
"We're just going to pull in the ones with different compounds -- and they are readily available," Jim Carlson, owner of the Last Place on Earth, told the newspaper.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed that the agency's ban on those particular chemicals will have little ultimate effect on fake weed sales.
"Unfortunately he is correct," said Barbara Carreno. "There are many of these substances and we chose five common ones because we don't have the resources to study all of them."
Challenging the DEA's Authority
Until the move by the DEA, the synthetic marijuana products were sold freely and legally with names like Blaze, Blueberry Haze, Dank, Demon Passion Smoke, Genie, Hawaiian Hybrid, K2, Magma, Ninja, Nitro, Ono Budz, Panama Red Ball, Puff, Sativah Herbal Smoke, Skunk, Spice, Ultra Chronic and Voodoo Spice.
And even though the sellers of the fake bud products have found a workaround to the DEA's effort, they are challenging the move in court on Constitutional grounds.
The owners for four Minnesota head shops have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court challenging the DEA's authority to ban the chemicals.
"We just think they're overstepping their boundaries and treading on the Constitution," Carlson said. "We plan to take it to the Supreme Court."
Meanwhile, Carlson told the newspaper that his sales have not slowed down a bit.
News Source: MSNBC. "Making an end run around fake pot ban." March 2, 2011. Related Information:
Photo: DEA