Board of Supervisors Supports Regulation of Synthetic Drugs

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA - Riverside County supervisors Tuesday tentatively approved a measure intended to crack down on the distribution of illegal synthetic drugs, which board member Chuck Washington called a "threat and danger to the community."

Washington introduced Ordinance No. 932 in the hope of choking off the supply of prohibited synthetics. Under the measure, which is subject to a second reading before passage, individuals caught selling, supplying or otherwise being in possession of the drugs could face fines and misdemeanor charges.

"Often times, the challenge with synthetic drugs is the formulation," the supervisor said. "It's easy to rework to circumvent the law."

He noted that synthetics are a worsening habit among "high school and college-age individuals, as well as among the homeless, parolees and probationers."

Board Chairman John Benoit said the popularity of such drugs had become a "huge, horrible problem." He expressed hope that cities throughout the Inland Empire would follow the county's lead in attempting to pinch off the supply of synthetics.

Ordinance No. 932 would only apply to unincorporated communities within Riverside County.

Washington first broached the idea of an ordinance regulating illegal synthetic drugs in April. After months of research and vetting by the Riverside County Office of County Counsel, District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Department, the current measure was drafted.

Washington acknowledged that the State Synthetic Drug Laws and the federal Controlled Substances Act contain provisions that target the manufacturing and distribution of many synthetics, but not on a micro level. That's where Ordinance No. 932 might prove effective, the supervisor said.

Liquor stores, smoke shops and other outlets that place synthetic "intoxicating chemical substances" on their shelves could be fined and face other penalties in county-led enforcement actions, according to the ordinance. Similarly, private individuals peddling illicit synthetics would also be penalized under the ordinance.

Washington noted that various combinations of makeshift drugs can induce "extremely violent reactions," resulting in "hallucinations, psychotic episodes, aggression, suicidal and homicidal ideations, self-mutilation and death."

According to the ordinance, synthetics are derived from incense, cleaning products, plant foods, skin treatments and spice.

"Many synthetic drugs are sold as white powders, packaged in vials that resemble cocaine, or dyed green to appear similar to marijuana," the ordinance states. "Brand names are often similar to street slang for illicit drugs. These names are always changing but include 'Eight Ballz,' 'Puff,' 'Spice,' 'Green Buddha,' 'Scooby Snax,' 'Mr. and Mrs. Marley' (and) 'Cloud 9 Incense."'

The drugs routinely contain chemical intoxicants like cathinone, methylphenyl, methylene, butylone and their derivatives.

Sheriff's investigators or code enforcement officers will have to look at the name of the product, how it's packaged, its chemical content and similar factors to determine whether it is a prohibited synthetic, according to the ordinance. Labeling certain items with the disclaimer "not safe for human consumption" may not be sufficient to avoid an enforcement action.

Local laws regulating the distribution, sale and possession of synthetic drugs have been enacted in the city of Los Angeles, as well as Kern, San Bernardino, San Diego and San Luis Obispo counties, according to County Counsel Greg Priamos.

He said the county's ordinance is "complementary" to state law and permits prosecutors to pursue actions under local or California Penal Code provisions.

– By PAUL J. YOUNG, City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone