New Law In Indiana Dictates Severe Penalties For Selling Synthetic Drugs

Indiana recently passed a new synthetic drug law, in response to the rise in the use and sales of such substances in the U.S.

2012-12-12

December 12, 2012 (Press-News.org) New law in Indiana dictates severe penalties for selling synthetic drugs

Recently, Indiana legislators passed a law focused on preventing the sale of synthetic drugs. The law imposed strict penalties on store owners found to be in violation. If a store is found to be selling a synthetic drug -- or, in certain cases, substances similar to the drug -- it could lose its retail certificate for one year. In addition, the store is responsible for paying for expenses associated with subsequent court proceedings, such as lab testing and court fees.

Store owners were given notice in September that they would be prosecuted if they were found to be selling synthetic drugs. They were given just one week to comply with the notice.

In Indiana, over 60 synthetic compounds, including bath salts, were added to the list of banned substances just this year. In addition, as the makeup of the chemical compounds in synthetic drugs can change frequently, legislators enacted the look-alike statute, which widens the scope of illegal substances. Consequently, the number of people who are faced with criminal chargesfor dealing with such substances will likely increase.

Since the implementation of the law, police officers in Indiana have already cracked down on stores that have continued to sell synthetic drugs. One store owner was recently charged with 18 felonies. Law enforcement officers alleged he was selling synthetic drugs and claimed to have seized over 1,000 packets of drugs. The owner faces drug charges under the synthetic drug statute and the look-alike statute.

Usage and sales of synthetic drugs on the rise in the US

Synthetic drugs include both synthetic marijuana -- also known as "Spice" or "K2" -- and other synthetic products, such as bath salts. The use of these drugs is reportedly on the rise. According to the 2011 Monitoring the Future survey, 11.4 percent of high school seniors used either K2 or Spice during the year.

The rise is also noticeable when comparing the number of calls made to poison control centers due to synthetic marijuana and bath salts. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that the number of calls due to synthetic marijuana doubled between 2010 and 2011. As for calls relating to bath salts, the number increased by over 20 times between 2010 and 2011.

In addition, the number of different types of synthetic drugs has risen in recent years. One of the newest substances, referred to as "Smiles," is mainly being sold over the internet and has already been labeled as a Schedule 1 controlled substance.

If you have been charged with a crime involving synthetic drugs, this focused effort on the part of law enforcement officers could be to your detriment. Consequently, consulting with a skilled criminal defense attorney soon after the arrest will ensure a strong defense is established on your behalf.

Article provided by Leonard, Hammond, Thoma & Terrill, Professional Corporation
Visit us at http://www.fwlawfirm.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Teen Drivers Responsible for 10 Percent of Fatal Ohio Crashes

2012-12-12

Teen Drivers Responsible for 10 Percent of Fatal Ohio Crashes Ohio drivers have something to fear: teens on the road. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that teen drivers were at fault for 114,737 crashes between 2009 and 2011 and were responsible for 10 percent of fatal crashes in Ohio. These crashes killed 329 people and injured 50,492 others. Graduated Driver Licensing Ohio has graduated driver licensing laws that should help teach teen drivers to drive well. Graduated driver licensing laws require teens to gradually learn to drive by requiring supervision ...

Federal Study: Most Teens Admit to Texting While Driving

2012-12-12

Federal Study: Most Teens Admit to Texting While Driving In a recent federal agency study, over half of the surveyed teens admitted to texting while driving. The findings are disturbing given the well-known dangers and the wave of media coverage and government action to curb the practice of distracted driving. The average American teen processes over 100 text message each day. Many, it seems, send and receive messages while behind the wheel. By removing an individual's focus from the road, cell phones pose a serious safety risk when used while driving. Texting while ...

Divorce for Older Pennsylvania Couples Carries Special Concerns

2012-12-12

Divorce for Older Pennsylvania Couples Carries Special Concerns So-called "gray" divorces are on the rise in Pennsylvania and across the country. Couples over 50 now divorce at twice the rate they did a few decades ago, and divorces in this age group now constitute a quarter of all divorces. Divorce always comes with some disruption, but people nearing or past retirement age may need to address added concerns, especially financial issues. Older couples have far less time to recover financially after divorce, for one thing, and careful planning is essential. Financial ...

Number Of Domestic Abuse Victims Remains Steady In Tennessee

2012-12-12

Number of domestic abuse victims remains steady in Tennessee The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation recently released the Tennessee Domestic Violence Report, which contains data on the number of cases of domestic violence in the state from 2009 through 2011. It found that the number of incidents had decreased, but by only 1.1 percent. This number includes any offenses a law enforcement agency reported as being domestically related. The TBI tracked domestic violence offenses through the Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System. A total of 254,903 such incidences were ...

Study Shows New Jersey Teen Drivers Safer With Red Decal License Plate

2012-12-12

Study shows New Jersey teen drivers safer with red decal license plate Whether you have a teenager or not, if you live in New Jersey, you are likely aware of the law requiring teen drivers to affix a red decal to their license plate. According to a new study, the law has served its purpose, preventing accidents and fatalities on the road. The law has been in place since May 2010 and requires all drivers under the age of 21 to have a red decal on their license plate. The decal is meant to make it easier for law enforcement officers to identify teens who are violating ...

Athletics and Brain Injuries

2012-12-12

Athletics and Brain Injuries Recent scientific research, rule changes and a growing consciousness of the risk of high-impact sports are bringing attention to the concern of brain injuries that result from participation in athletics. Brain injuries are particularly common in football and affect all age brackets that play the sport. The recent changes regarding helmet-to-helmet contact in football reflect the severity of these injuries and the need to create a safer playing environment for all. Inter-Collegiate Study The Big Ten Conference and the Ivy League recently ...

Review Nursing Home Ratings Before Admitting A Loved One

2012-12-12

Review nursing home ratings before admitting a loved one As the number of aging Americans increases, the need for high quality long-term care facilities is also rising. Deciding which home will provide the best quality of care can be challenging, but is a common concern when faced with such a task. In order to elucidate the varying standards across facilities, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) created a five-star rating system. CMS nursing home rating system Three primary factors are evaluated in determining the star rating for each home: health ...

Misdiagnoses Continue to Present Problems

2012-12-12

Misdiagnoses Continue to Present Problems Over the past century, medical science has seen a vast number of improvements. Indeed, researchers have not only developed new treatments to cure once life-threatening illnesses, but have also invented new techniques to help doctors diagnose even the most obscure diseases. Nevertheless, despite an ever increasing array of technological tools and training, millions of patients are misdiagnosed in the United States each year. What is worse, these misdiagnoses can sometimes lead to serious, even fatal complications. The numbers ...

Four Tips For Staying Financially Afloat During Divorce

2012-12-12

Four tips for staying financially afloat during divorce In addition to causing a major emotional impact, divorce often involves a huge financial blow to the parties involved. Before the divorce, both parties have the financial assistance of the other spouse in meeting financial obligations. However, once the divorce is completed, individuals find themselves in control of their finances and must pay the bills and save for retirement without a spouse's income. Although it can seem daunting, there are some steps couples can take to make sure that their assets are protected ...

How Does the Fair Housing Act Impact the Co-Op Applicant Process?

2012-12-12

How Does the Fair Housing Act Impact the Co-Op Applicant Process? The Fair Housing Act is a broad piece of legislation that offers protections for those living in, renting, selling or buying most types of housing -- including cooperative housing arrangements. Protections provided by the Act span to cover the sale and rental of housing, mortgage lending and additional protections for the disabled. What Protections Are Available Under The Fair Housing Act? Protections offered by the Fair Housing Act include making it unlawful to discriminate against applicants. ...

New Law In Indiana Dictates Severe Penalties For Selling Synthetic Drugs

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: