BILL NUMBER: ACR 69	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  AUGUST 18, 2011
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  JULY 11, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 22, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Hueso
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Alejo, Allen, Block, Campos, Roger
Hernández, Perea, and V. Manuel Pérez)
   (Coauthor: Senator Hernandez)

                        JUNE 9, 2011

   Relative to synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 69, Hueso. Synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants.
   This measure would request that law enforcement, first responders,
schools, local elected officials, and parents educate youth about
the risks associated with synthetic drugs.



   WHEREAS, Synthetic cannabinoids commonly known as "Spice" or "K2,"
and synthetic stimulants commonly known as "bath salts," are growing
in use and have become an increasingly significant problem in
California; and
   WHEREAS, The initial appearance of these synthetic cannabinoids in
herbal incense products in the United States occurred in November
2008 when United States Customs and Border Protection first
encountered products such as Spice; and
   WHEREAS, Due to sophisticated marketing, the products that contain
these synthetic cannabinoids or stimulants are perceived as "legal"
alternatives to marijuana and cocaine despite the fact that they are
typically advertised as herbal incense, bath salts, or plant food;
and
   WHEREAS, Synthetic cannabinoids are referred to as the new
marijuana and synthetic stimulants as the new cocaine, and are
gaining popularity at an alarming rate among high school and college
students and persons on probation and parole; and
   WHEREAS, While having the same or stronger physiological effects
as high-potency marijuana, synthetic marijuana products do not show a
positive reading in a urinalysis test, which adds to the
desirability and increased growth among drug abusers and increases
the threat to public health and safety by making detection difficult;
and
   WHEREAS, The American Association of Poison Control Centers
(AAPCC) reported receiving 14 calls related to synthetic cannabinoids
at United States poison centers in 2009, 2,874 calls in 2010, and,
in just the first four months of 2011, the AAPCC has already received
2,052 calls; and
   WHEREAS, The AAPCC also reported receiving 301 calls in 2010 on
the synthetic stimulant "bath salts" and has received 1,381 calls in
the first three months of this year; and
   WHEREAS, The Drug Enforcement Agency adopted a temporary federal
policy on March 1, 2011, banning some synthetic substances, which
represent a recent phenomenon in the United States designer drug
market; and
   WHEREAS, Preliminary indications are that these synthetic
cannabinoids, currently unregulated in California, are from three to
over 100 times more potent than THC, the active ingredient found in
marijuana; and
   WHEREAS, At least 20 states, as well as the federal government and
military, have already included one or more of these synthetic
chemical compounds on schedules of controlled substances, but none of
these chemicals are currently listed on California's schedule of
controlled substances; and
   WHEREAS, Synthetic drugs have been attributed to at least nine
deaths in the United States since last year; and
   WHEREAS, The Assembly of the State of California recognizes the
growing threat of synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants to the
health, safety, and welfare of our citizens before the problem
becomes epidemic in the State of California; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature needs to convey that the
purpose of this resolution is to raise awareness of synthetic drugs.
Synthetic drugs pose a significant health risk and the Legislature
calls upon law enforcement, first responders, schools, local elected
officials, and parents to educate youth about the risks associated
with synthetic drugs; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.