Corbett Signs Bill to Ban 'Bath Salts';
Casey Applauds State's Efforts
Learn: Police Will Have Authority to Get This Junk Off the Street
Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett today signed into law Senate Bill 1006, legislation that bans the possession, use and sale of synthetic designer drugs including the dangerous substance known as “bath salts.’’
The General Assembly last week unanimously approved the measure to expand the state’s list of controlled substances. The new law prohibits all chemical substances contained in bath salts, as well as synthetic marijuana and other synthetic drugs, including 2C-E, which is similar to LSD or Ecstasy, and salvia, which causes hallucinations.
Bath salts, which have nothing to do with baths or spas, are designer drugs with an effect on users comparable to cocaine or methamphetamine. The substance had been legally sold in some tobacco shops and other specialty stores. Users sometimes experience agitation, paranoia, hallucinations and often commit violent acts.
“Sadly, we have had far too many tragic examples in Pennsylvania of just what kind of impact this drug can have,’’ Corbett said. “In Blair County, two friends stabbed each other in a dispute over a bath salt container. In Carbon County, a man held police at bay with an assault rifle for hours. In Lackawanna County, a man broke into a monastery and stabbed a priest. Police said all of them had been using bath salts.’’
Corbett commended the General Assembly for working so quickly to outlaw these chemicals. However, since the law does not take effect for 60 days, Corbett asked merchants who sell these chemicals to voluntarily stop before more people are hurt.
“If left unchecked, synthetic drugs could have developed into the most dangerous drug crisis since methamphetamine labs found their way into our state,’’ Corbett said. “This ban on synthetic drugs sends a strong message that Pennsylvania will not tolerate the use of these chemicals.
“I want to commend the Pennsylvania State Police and the District Attorneys Association for helping craft the language for this legislation and working to see this ban on bath salts become law,’’ Corbett added.
Poison control centers nationwide received nearly 300 calls about bath salts in 2010. Already this year, that number has quadrupled. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has received more than 55 calls regarding bath salts so far this year, up from just 10 last year.
“I am very pleased to see that the legislature and Governor Corbett worked promptly to outlaw these very dangerous substances," McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn told WESB and The HERO. "There have been a number of deaths related to bath salts and synthetic cannabinoids throughout the country, and this legislation will give the police the authority to get this junk off the streets and away from our kids.”
“We have seen the devastating impact these unregulated, dangerous and deadly drugs have had in our communities,’’ said Dauphin County District Attorney Edward M. Marsico Jr., who is also president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. “S.B. 1006 will quite literally save lives, and we are grateful that Governor Corbett and the General Assembly worked with us to respond quickly and decisively to the emerging threat of synthetic drugs.’’
Under the new law, conviction for a first offense for delivery or possession with the intent to deliver carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Conviction of simple possession of the substance carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Bath salts are already banned in more than 20 states, as well as in Israel, Canada, Australia and several countries in Europe. In Pennsylvania, several communities established local bans on the sale of synthetic drugs.
The law, which has no fiscal impact, was sponsored by Sen. Elder A. Vogel Jr. (RBeaver)
along with the support of Sen. John Gordner (R-Northumberland), Representatives RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon), Jerry Stern (R-Blair) and Jennifer Mann (D-Lehigh).
~~~~
WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement in response to Pennsylvania’s enactment of a ban on so-called “bath salts”:
“I applaud the Governor and the Pennsylvania legislature today for enacting a ban on dangerous so-called ‘bath salts.’ This is a critical step to protect our communities, and I am disappointed that Washington has not moved with similar speed to pass a national ban. Earlier this year, I endorsed the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act. It is time to enact that legislation. In addition, the DEA should also use its authority to take these drugs off the streets. This is a grave threat to our communities, and the time for action is now."
Senator Casey is a cosponsor of The Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act (S.409) which would immediately add the ingredients in bath salts to the list of controlled substances.
In March, Senator Casey urged the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to use its authority to temporarily ban the chemicals in so-called ‘bath salts’ to immediately take the dangerous drugs off the streets. In a letter to DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart, Senator Casey pointed to recent DEA action to ban synthetic marijuana as precedent to take immediate action against the drugs in bath salts. Senator Casey also supports legislation to give the DEA more flexibility to quickly remove dangerous substances from the market.
The Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011 (S. 605) would amend the Controlled Substances Act, doubling the timeframe the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services have to emergency schedule substances from 18 months to 36 months. This will allow for dangerous substances to be quickly removed from the market while being studied for permanent scheduling.
Pictured, Senator Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) looks on as Gov. Corbett enacts the senator's legislation banning deadly synthetically produced drugs designed to mimic the effects of other drugs.
Photo provided by Senate Republican Communications
Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett today signed into law Senate Bill 1006, legislation that bans the possession, use and sale of synthetic designer drugs including the dangerous substance known as “bath salts.’’The General Assembly last week unanimously approved the measure to expand the state’s list of controlled substances. The new law prohibits all chemical substances contained in bath salts, as well as synthetic marijuana and other synthetic drugs, including 2C-E, which is similar to LSD or Ecstasy, and salvia, which causes hallucinations.
Bath salts, which have nothing to do with baths or spas, are designer drugs with an effect on users comparable to cocaine or methamphetamine. The substance had been legally sold in some tobacco shops and other specialty stores. Users sometimes experience agitation, paranoia, hallucinations and often commit violent acts.
“Sadly, we have had far too many tragic examples in Pennsylvania of just what kind of impact this drug can have,’’ Corbett said. “In Blair County, two friends stabbed each other in a dispute over a bath salt container. In Carbon County, a man held police at bay with an assault rifle for hours. In Lackawanna County, a man broke into a monastery and stabbed a priest. Police said all of them had been using bath salts.’’
Corbett commended the General Assembly for working so quickly to outlaw these chemicals. However, since the law does not take effect for 60 days, Corbett asked merchants who sell these chemicals to voluntarily stop before more people are hurt.
“If left unchecked, synthetic drugs could have developed into the most dangerous drug crisis since methamphetamine labs found their way into our state,’’ Corbett said. “This ban on synthetic drugs sends a strong message that Pennsylvania will not tolerate the use of these chemicals.
“I want to commend the Pennsylvania State Police and the District Attorneys Association for helping craft the language for this legislation and working to see this ban on bath salts become law,’’ Corbett added.
Poison control centers nationwide received nearly 300 calls about bath salts in 2010. Already this year, that number has quadrupled. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has received more than 55 calls regarding bath salts so far this year, up from just 10 last year.
“I am very pleased to see that the legislature and Governor Corbett worked promptly to outlaw these very dangerous substances," McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn told WESB and The HERO. "There have been a number of deaths related to bath salts and synthetic cannabinoids throughout the country, and this legislation will give the police the authority to get this junk off the streets and away from our kids.”
“We have seen the devastating impact these unregulated, dangerous and deadly drugs have had in our communities,’’ said Dauphin County District Attorney Edward M. Marsico Jr., who is also president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. “S.B. 1006 will quite literally save lives, and we are grateful that Governor Corbett and the General Assembly worked with us to respond quickly and decisively to the emerging threat of synthetic drugs.’’
Under the new law, conviction for a first offense for delivery or possession with the intent to deliver carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Conviction of simple possession of the substance carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Bath salts are already banned in more than 20 states, as well as in Israel, Canada, Australia and several countries in Europe. In Pennsylvania, several communities established local bans on the sale of synthetic drugs.
The law, which has no fiscal impact, was sponsored by Sen. Elder A. Vogel Jr. (RBeaver)
along with the support of Sen. John Gordner (R-Northumberland), Representatives RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon), Jerry Stern (R-Blair) and Jennifer Mann (D-Lehigh).
~~~~
WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement in response to Pennsylvania’s enactment of a ban on so-called “bath salts”:
“I applaud the Governor and the Pennsylvania legislature today for enacting a ban on dangerous so-called ‘bath salts.’ This is a critical step to protect our communities, and I am disappointed that Washington has not moved with similar speed to pass a national ban. Earlier this year, I endorsed the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act. It is time to enact that legislation. In addition, the DEA should also use its authority to take these drugs off the streets. This is a grave threat to our communities, and the time for action is now."
Senator Casey is a cosponsor of The Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act (S.409) which would immediately add the ingredients in bath salts to the list of controlled substances.
In March, Senator Casey urged the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to use its authority to temporarily ban the chemicals in so-called ‘bath salts’ to immediately take the dangerous drugs off the streets. In a letter to DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart, Senator Casey pointed to recent DEA action to ban synthetic marijuana as precedent to take immediate action against the drugs in bath salts. Senator Casey also supports legislation to give the DEA more flexibility to quickly remove dangerous substances from the market.
The Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011 (S. 605) would amend the Controlled Substances Act, doubling the timeframe the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services have to emergency schedule substances from 18 months to 36 months. This will allow for dangerous substances to be quickly removed from the market while being studied for permanent scheduling.
Pictured, Senator Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) looks on as Gov. Corbett enacts the senator's legislation banning deadly synthetically produced drugs designed to mimic the effects of other drugs.
Photo provided by Senate Republican Communications
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