Michigan Association Calls for Ban on Synthetic Pot

The MFBA, which represents convenience stores, is calling for a ban on the sale of synthetic marijuana products such as K2 and Spice.

June 06, 2012

WARREN, Mich. - Yesterday the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA), which represents convenience stores, gas stations and party store operators in the state, announced that it is advocating a "no sale" policy for synthetic marijuana products, while supporting state legislation efforts to strengthen laws banning the products.

This week, State House members, through the House Judicial Committee, are expected to vote on the tougher laws against the products, broadly known as the brands K2 and Spice. Several counties and communities across the state have already enacted emergency ordinances to ban sale of K2 products.

"This is a deadly and dangerous family of products, which do not belong for sale anywhere, much less on store shelves," said MFBA President and CEO Jennifer Kluge. "We certainly do not want to see these products at any of our member merchant locations."

"It's all about community responsibility in the cities and towns where our members do business," said MFBA Chairman Ed Deeb. "It's all about doing the right thing by protecting those from doing great harm to themselves, and to others around them."

In Georgia, synthetic pot has found its way back on the shelves two months after a law prohibiting its sale in Georgia went on the books, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The distributors of K2 and Spice molecularly changed the products to circumvent state law. Until the Georgia Assembly returns, the sale of the altered products is legal.

"They essentially altered the basic structure and started all over again," said state Sen. Buddy Carter. Carter sponsored the bill that outlawed the sale of synthetic marijuana, which is sold in convenience stores. He is planning to introduce legislation to ban the products once again during the next session. "Make no mistake about it, they are testing our resolve??It's going to be very difficult to keep up with these guys, but we're going to do whatever it takes to win the battle."

Oil Express reported yesterday evening that BP has joined Citgo in warning its branded marketers against selling synthetic drugs and introducing a broad prohibition.

The company told marketers to regularly check stations to ensure the products were not being sold. In a letter dated June 5, BP reminded marketers its supply contract with them requires them to comply with all federal, state and local laws. It also requires them to comply with BP's image standards. The letter says all BP-branded sites are prohibited from "displaying, using, storing, offering or selling illegal drugs or synthetic drugs produced to mimic illegal drugs, or items that are intended or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling or otherwise consuming an illegal drug," according to the news source.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement