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| Date: | May 20, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Chris Van Guilder | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-1388 | | Contact Email: | christopher.vanguilder@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATE PASSES OMNIBUS BILL ON CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, INCLUDING CRIMINALIZATION OF SYNTHETIC DRUG "PLANT FOOD" |
St. Paul – The Senate passed on Friday the conference report of an omnibus drug bill with a unanimous vote of 62 to 0. The legislation included a measure offered by State Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) to criminalize the sale or possession of a dangerous new synthetic drug known as “plant food” or “bath salts.” The measure would add the currently legal synthetic drug mephedrone to the schedule I controlled substances list. The bill awaits Governor Dayton’s signature before becoming law.
“Plant food” or “bath salts,” which may be snorted, ingested or injected, mimic the effects of illegal narcotics such as cocaine or amphetamines. They may be purchased online and are also sold on the street.
“Used as an alternative to illegal drugs, ‘plant food’ or ‘bath salts’ have many of the same harmful effects on the individuals, families and communities in which they are used,” commented Senator Miller. “Passing this legislation is an important first step in the fight against these harmful substances. Although this is a beginning in the fight against drug abuse, and not the end, we urge the Governor to sign this bill into law without delay.”
The use of “plant food” or “bath salts” is a source of growing concern for communities throughout Minnesota and the United States:
“Police: ‘Plant food’ is a problem,” Winona Daily News online, Winona, Minnesota, April 15, 2011.
(Link: http://bit.ly/hBm9fa)
“'Plant Food' is Latest Synthetic Drug, Experts Warn,” Fox 4 News, Kansas City, Missouri, March 11, 2011.
(Link: http://bit.ly/kpsKrs)
“‘Bath Salts’: Cracking Down on a Dangerous Legal High,” ABC World News online, January 13, 2011.
(Link: http://abcn.ws/f1Pl9J)
After passing in both the Senate and the House, the Conference Report will now be sent to Governor Dayton for final approval.
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