New Federal Law Bans Synthetic Drugs
President Obama recently signed a federal law that bans synthetic drugs across the nation, but opponents say the measure is too harsh.
July 29, 2012
New Federal Law Bans Synthetic DrugsIt is hard to forget the story of the man who ate another man's face while allegedly under the influence of bath salts. It turns out that the attacker had no synthetic compounds in his system, but was only under the influence of marijuana. The federal government has not forgotten, and in early July, President Obama signed a bill that bans many synthetic drugs, including bath salts. As a result, an individual who possesses or sells synthetic drugs in Pennsylvania may face state and federal drug charges.
Is the Law Going to Make a Difference?
Many local lawmakers have already banned synthetic drugs with little relief. In response to state and local laws, creators of the drugs are able to make slight changes to the drugs in order to comply with the law, but the new synthetic drugs give users the same effects.
Even though local laws are successful in preventing the sale of synthetic drugs in local stores on the whole, users still have great access to the drugs over the internet. The federal law; however, covers online sales and sales over state lines. National legislators who created the law believe the ban will make a big difference. The legislators who designed the federal ban also used foresight to construct the law in a way that bans synthetic drugs that could be made from different chemical compounds in the future.
Some Say Penalties are Too Harsh
Opponents of the law say that the penalties for possessing synthetic drugs are much too high. There is concern that this law will lead to even more overcrowding in America's prisons and that negative effects of the drug could be dealt with in other ways. Some opponents also point to the fact that the effects of the drugs are not even fully known yet.
Also, opponents of the federal ban say that it is important that the drugs are still available for research purposes. They are concerned that the strict bans will now make it extremely difficult for researchers to obtain synthetic materials.
With this new law, possessors and users of synthetic drugs will face higher penalties. Anyone charged with violating the synthetic drug ban in Central Pennsylvania should contact a criminal defense attorney to make sure that their legal rights are protected.
Article provided by Masorti & Donaldson, P.C.
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