TOPEKA – The Senate on Thursday sent a bill to the House which would ban two synthetic drugs which replicate the effects of marijuana and Ecstasy.
The measure, Senate Bill 348, passed 36-1 with Kansas City Democrat David Haley as the lone vote against the proposal.
“As our youth and others continue to search for legal ways to expand their flights of fancy I fear they will encounter more dangerous ways that what we ban here,” said Haley.
He noted that the move to ban two synthetic cannabinoids found in K2, which replicates the effect of marijuana comes as many states are expanding legal access to the plant itself.
The measure would also ban BZP which replicate the hallucinogen Ecstasy.
Kansas law enforcement officials have said high school students are using the new synthetic drugs.
Most lawmakers did not agree with Haley.
Sen. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, who is also a physician, said he was voting for the ban after seeing first-hand the impact drugs could have on people’s lives.
“Even though it is an imitation drug it is still a drug,” he said.
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“Sen. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, who is also a physician, said he was voting for the ban after seeing first-hand the impact drugs could have on people’s lives.
“Even though it is an imitation drug it is still a drug,” he said.”
But of course, alcohol, tobacco, and all those lovely psycho-active mood elevators and depressants that doctors prescribe don’t have ANY impact on people’s lives. I know my share of people who’ve ended their lives with or because of prescription drugs, but don’t know anyone who’s ever harmed themselves smoking this generation’s version of banana peel.
Yes I agree the leadership in our state has a 1960’s Nixon mind set. Its okay, they will die of old age soon. As the other fudie dudies of old, in other states have passed. The laws have changed. 14 State’s have realized that science is on the side of marijuana. It is proven to be a awesome medical alternative to the very harmful pharmaceutical drugs pushed on us by the industry. And that makes some baby boomers in political power mad. Oh well you can’t stop progress. I agree with the ban on these very weak interpretations of pot. The chemicals are a rip off, not very effective at all. At least they are helping the people with real medical conditions not get ripped off by a product that does not work. I wonder if the powers that be, know that they are going to lose residency to Colorado and New Mexico if the law’s on pot don’t change. Goggle search Medical Marijuana in Colorado. It is real medicine that you can grow at home. What is Kansas gaining by keeping pot illegal? It sure isn’t tax money they could be collecting to help with the money short fall. Not to mention the people suffering with MS, Aids, Cancer, etc.. It is very adorable to buy pot for what ails you. Most people don’t have medical insurance! Even with medical insurance some of these drugs cost too much. Ambien is 600 dollars for a 30 day supply. Pot 80 dollars for a 30 day supply. You do the math. Pot puts you to sleep just fine for a fraction of the cost. Good job Kansas. Way to keep up with the times!
Sen. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, who is also a physician, said he was voting for the ban after seeing first-hand the impact drugs could have on people’s lives.
Then why he and the senate will not support a state wide public ban on smoking. If he has seen the impact of second hand smoking and what it does. You would think he would want a ban.
I normally don’t do this but… just a quick note for accuracy.
Sen. Barnett helped push through the smoking ban bill which the Senate passed last year. That bill stalled in the House.
As the chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee he has been a very vocal supporter of a statewide smoking ban.