Gov. Jay Nixon’s signature is all a ban on synthetic drugs needs to become law after the House gave the measure final approval Tuesday.
The drugs, one a marijuana-like drug called “K3” and another known simply as “bath salts” are dangerous, said Rep. Ward Franz, R-West Plains. These substances are available for purchase because they are labeled for non-human consumption.
“The whole purpose is to get around the law,” Franz said. “If you sell something for the purpose of not for human consumption and you put a label on it, it’s legal to sell in the state of Missouri.”
The measure got 90 percent support in the House on Tuesday, after already passing the Senate. But it faced opposition from some legislators. The ban will hurt businesses who also sell legal drugs, Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis, contended.
“Even if you talk to law enforcement, they are two different issues,” he said. “One leads to neurosis and uncontrollable activities. The other puts you to sleep.”
It’s the second year in a row state lawmakers have voted to ban synthetic drugs. Last year, Missouri stopped the legal sale of K-2, another form of fake marijuana.
– Missouri Digital News
