Huntington City followed the lead of numerous other Indiana cities and counties by banning the sale of K2 and other synthetic cannabinoids within the city limits.
The ordinance passed 5-2 in the second reading at the Common Council meeting Tuesday morning with councilmen Steve McIntyre and Brooks Fetters voting against the ban. Councilmen Keith Eller, Jason Fields, Jack Slusser, Joe Blomeke and Erv Ebersole voted in favor of the ordinance.
The ban went into effect Thursday.
Also known as Spice, Blaze, Red X Dawn, Genie and Zohai, K2 was originally sold as incense. However many users smoke the blend of herbs and synthetic chemicals to get a marijuana-like high.
According to the Associated Press, some legislators have said they will push for a statewide ban during next year’s General Assembly – a measure the Indiana State Medical Association may support. A resolution supporting a statewide ban is expected to be on the organization’s agenda at its annual convention in October.
“Right now, there are no regulations whatsoever,” Dr. Dick Huber, a retired physician from central Indiana’s Johnson County told the AP. “Nobody knows what’s in it. Nobody is looking at it. Nobody controls it.”
Although banned in many countries in Europe, K2’s key ingredients haven’t been regulated in the United States. However, several states, including Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana and Mississippi, have instituted statewide bans. Several other states, including Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Ohio, are considering legislation.
More to come on this story.
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