Sheriff Tom Neer is requesting a bill to ban the sale and possession of products that are being sold and used as an alternative to marijuana in unincorporated St. Charles County. These products are being sold in St. Charles County under such names as “ K2”, “Genie”, “DaSCENTS”, and “Zohai,” and their active ingredients work on the brain like the active substance THC found in marijuana.” Law enforcement agencies have become increasingly aware that, when smoked, a mixture of dried herbs laced with chemicals mimics the effects of real marijuana. Neer says that if these products “can alter a person’s senses, it’s a problem. You get someone using it behind the wheel and it impairs their driving.” Sheriff Neer points to studies of unregulated synthetic cannabinoids such as these that have found they can be up to 100 times more potent than THC in marijuana.

2nd district Councilman Joe Brazil is the sponsor of a bill that will get its first reading at the County Council meeting this Monday night. Brazil says, “It’s a problem and something needs to be done now. I personally know kids at the high school level are using it. I’ve talked to teachers about it and they are concerned.” Brazil’s bill says “users of the drug are reporting it has effects similar to marijuana usage, including blurred vision, euphoria, highs and bad side effects, including feelings of excruciating pain, giddiness and loss of control.” The bill defines these products as “illegal smoking products” and makes the sale of them unlawful. It also makes it unlawful to possess such products. Anyone found guilty of misdemeanor charges of either selling or possessing the products would face punishment of a fine of not more than $1,000 and or a sentence of up to a year in the St. Charles County jail.