Res. No. 29

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2722/A.2970A, which would ban chemicals substantially similar to those already designated as controlled substances.

By Council Members Cabrera and Yeger

                     Whereas, Synthetic cannabinoids refers to a range of herbal mixtures sprayed with chemicals in order to produce mind-altering effects; and

                     Whereas, Often known by other names such as synthetic marijuana, K2, spice, or spike, synthetic cannabinoids are consumed as recreational drugs; and

                     Whereas, According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (“AAPCC”), health effects from synthetic cannabinoids can be life-threatening and can include severe agitation, seizures, intense hallucinations, and psychotic episodes; and

                     Whereas, Since 2010, AAPCC has tracked the number of calls made to poison centers due to adverse reactions to these drugs; and

                     Whereas, AAPCC’s data show that in the first eleven months of 2017, 1,837 such calls were made across the country, 151 calls were made in New York; and

                     Whereas, In New York City, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued a warning in April of 2015 detailing the potential dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, citing that in a one-week period in early April, there had been more than 120 emergency room visits related to these drugs; and

                     Whereas, In response to the drugs’ increased use in recent years, all 50 states have banned some forms of synthetic drugs since 2011, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures; and

                     Whereas, Laws often target specific ingredients used in these drugs, but manufacturers have tried to avoid prosecution by continually changing the chemical composition of banned substances to create similar substances not yet outlawed; and

                     Whereas, Thirty-four states have responded with “analogue laws”-laws that ban drugs with chemical structures and effects substantially similar to those of already prohibited substances; and

                     Whereas, New York currently does not have an analogue law, thus depriving prosecutors the ability to punish manufacturers who repeatedly produce slightly different versions of synthetic drugs; and

                     Whereas, New York State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein and New York State Assembly Member Michael Cusick have introduced S.2722 and A.2970A, respectively, which would incorporate the Federal Analogue Act into New York law and ban chemicals substantially similar to those already scheduled as controlled substances; and

                     Whereas, Support for the bill’s passage is strong in the State Senate, which passed the bill in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016; and

                     Whereas, Passing this legislation would equip law enforcement with an important tool to fight against the use of synthetic cannabinoids and the resulting adverse effects; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2722/A.2970A, which would ban chemicals substantially similar to those already designated as controlled substances.

LS# 2791

01/10/18

LW/CA