A package of synthetic marijuana obtained from a patient at Upstate University Hospital.
(James T. Mulder)
"This is a very serious public health threat," Dr. Indu Gupta said today of the drug that is sold under various names such as "Spice" and "Spike" at corner stores, gas stations and other outlets.
Since June, the Upstate Poison Control Center has received more than 300 calls about synthetic drug overdoses, she said.
Gupta and other public officials joined Rep. John Katko, R-Camillus, at a news conference where Katko discussed proposed legislation he is co-sponsoring that would make it easier to prosecute those who sell and distribute synthetic drugs.
Congress outlawed several synthetic drugs in 2012, but manufacturers and distributors of the drugs skirt the law by slightly altering the chemical composition of the substances.
Katko said every time a synthetic drug with a different chemical makeup surfaces it can take up to two years before it is added to the list of outlawed synthetic drugs.
His bill would expedite the process by creating a new panel of experts that could quickly add new versions of synthetic drugs to the list.
"It's a common sense solution to a terrible problem," Katko said.
If the bill becomes law, retailers caught selling synthetic drugs could be charged with felonies. Right now, the sale of these drugs is only considered a misdemeanor.
Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said Syracuse police and county sheriff's deputies have delivered letters to head shops and other retailers warning them they will be prosecuted if caught selling synthetic drugs. "Prosecuting these people with misdemeanors doesn't do justice for the amount of harm that is committed," he said.
Fitzpatrick said stores caught selling synthetic drugs can lose their state licenses to sell alcohol, lottery tickets and cigarettes.
Syracuse police seized 326 bags of synthetic marijuana in March at Johnny 5 Market at 1012 Park St. on the city's North Side. A month later, police returned to the same store and found 222 bags of synthetic marijuana and 16 grams of marijuana.
Synthetic marijuana is created by spraying a chemical onto dried herbs. Users often exhibit bizarre behavior, become violent and can experience seizures, kidney failure and heart problems.
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