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Two synthetic drugs added to list of banned substances
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Two more synthetic drugs have been added to the state’s list of banned substances.
Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the additions Thursday, the day a new administrative rule prohibiting “PB-22” and “5F-PB-22” went into effect, under a law that enables the state to clamp down on potentially harmful drugs being sold over the counter.
“These substances pose a serious threat to public safety and have no medicinal value,” Kyle Parker, director of the state pharmacy board, said in a released statement.”
Synthetic drugs often are marketed as incense or potpourri or sold as a spray that can be smoked or swallowed, mimicking the effects of marijuana. The products are addictive and can cause psychotic behavior.
The pharmacy board has authority under a state law passed in 2012 to classify new synthetic drugs as controlled substances. That’s a change from years past, when lawmakers would have to pass legislation to identify each emerging drug.
Jill Del Greco, a spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office, said it took about nine months to ban the two new drugs under the rules process.
DeWine on Thursday urged lawmakers to sign off on new legislation that would give the attorney general the power to ban new synthetic drugs on an emergency basis while new rules are being finalized.