INCIDENT/ INFORMATION:
Frederick Police Continues Synthetic Cannabinoids and Bath Salts Awareness
The Frederick Police Department takes seriously the risk synthetic cannabinoinds and “bath salts” pose to public health. It is for this reason that the Frederick Police will continue its awareness efforts. The Frederick Police has taken a multi-prong approach by addressing businesses, training personnel, and public service presentations.
After synthetic cannabinoids (JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47 497, and cannabicyclohexanol) were temporarily placed into the Federal Controlled Substance Act (CSA) on March 1, 2011, the Frederick Police began distributing “Notice to Business Owner Concerning Illegal Substances” letters to businesses selling “herbal incense”. The letters are being distributed to educate businesses that it is unlawful to manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, import or export brands of herbal incense containing these five synthetic cannabinoid compounds. Letters will also be produced and distributed to businesses for “bath salts”, a synthetic stimulant, that was banned on October 18, 2011.
After the bans of synthetic cannabinoids and bath salts, the Frederick Police conducted training for its officers. The training informed officers of the new laws, product names, marketing and packaging, health risks and charging offenders. Information about these compounds will be added to future curriculums for police academies and in-service training.
The Frederick Police has presented synthetic cannabinoids and bath salts presentations to members of the Frederick County Public Schools and the Citizens Police Academy. In the future, the Frederick Police hopes to provide presentations to the City’s 12 Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NAC).
The Frederick Police will continue to work closely with the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Frederick County Health Department in order to educate the public and enforce the ban on these compounds.
Resources:
United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Diversion Control, Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Five Synthetic Cannabinoids into Schedule I, http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2011/fr0301.htm
National Institute on Drug Abuse, Message from the Director on “Bath Salts” – Emerging and Dangerous Products, http://drugabuse.gov/about/welcome/MessageBathSalts211.html