FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2012
AG ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF "SPICE" BILL;
ANTI-DRUG BILL IS PART OF AG LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE
(MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Luther Strange praised the Alabama Legislature for its passage of legislation to ban synthetic drugs. Senate Bill 208 and House Bill 158, often referred to as the "spice" bill, are among the bills in a legislative package advocated by Attorney General Strange. This legislation achieved final approval this morning when the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 208 by a vote of 99 to 0. The legislation now goes to the Governor for his signature.
"I am pleased that we have gained passage of this legislation, which is vital for public health and safety," said Attorney General Strange. "When easy availability over store counters was endangering the people of Alabama, we took action with the State Department of Public Health to regulate and fight these dangerous substances. The power of this law will give officers better tools to combat this threat and to provide strong penalties for offenders. Our citizens can be proud of the leadership by the sponsors of this important measure, Representatives Allen Farley and Randy Wood, and Senator Arthur Orr. I also want to thank Speaker Mike Hubbard and Rep. Blaine Galliher for getting this bill on the calendar in position for passage today, and the Alabama District Attorneys Association for its partnership in this effort."
The bills regulate synthetic marijuana and other similar substances. Synthetic substances that mimic marijuana or other drugs, often referred to as "spice," "bath salts" or various other names, are being created with chemical compounds which had not been identified and prohibited as controlled substances under state law. The State Department of Public Health previously has taken regulatory action regarding this, and now the classification of the chemicals and chemical compounds as controlled substances under state law would give law enforcement stronger tools to combat their abuse.
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