Fiscal Note
There may be a minor increase in General Fund revenues derived from forfeitures. No additional enforcement resources are required.
Title
Creating Section 25.31 of the Madison General Ordinances to prohibit the display, sale, use or possession of synthetic cannabinoids.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: Synthetic Cannabinoids are a large family of compounds that are functionally (biologically) similar to THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana. Synthetic cannabinoids are not organic, but are chemicals created in a laboratory. Synthetic cannabinoid products are currently being sold at commercial businesses in the City of Madison that contain chemical compounds designed as synthetic alternatives to controlled substances prohibited under Wisconsin law. These products are commonly marketed as “bath salts”, “herbal incense”, “Plant food” and are sold by hundreds of various brand names such as “Spice,” “K2,” “Kush,” “Scooby Snax,” etc. The United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) has researched synthetic cannabinoids and has found the vast majority of cannabinoids are manufactured in Asia by individuals who are not bound by any manufacturing requirements or quality control standards. These products are smuggled into the United States typically as misbranded imports. Local distributors then apply this drug to leafy material and package it for retail distribution, ignoring any control mechanisms to prevent contamination or to ensure a consistent, uniform concentration of drug in each package. The most common route of administration of this drug is smoking.
These products are typically labeled “not for human consumption” to mask their intended purpose and avoid Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) oversight of the manufacturing process. These synthetic cannabinoid substances claim to produce intoxicating effects similar to THC or marijuana. They are marketed and sold as benign and legal alternatives to marijuana.
Synthe...
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