Washtenaw County Health Officials Push to End Sale of Synthetic Drugs

Washtenaw County officials are putting the brakes on the sale of synthetic drugs in retail outlets after communities across Michigan and the state legislature have accelerated efforts to ban the substance.

County public health officials are directing that merchants “immediately stop selling synthetic marijuana and other synthetic drugs including bath salts, according to a press release from the Washtenaw County Public Health Department.

"In the event that individual merchants deliberately ignore the threat that these drugs pose, we will issue public health orders to enforce compliance. We think this is the best approach for our community,” Richard Fleece, health officer for Washtenaw County said. "Individual businesses that continue to sell these products will be subject to orders from Public Health to remove the items from the store."

Synthetic marijuana is commonly referred to by brand names such as K2 and Spice. Physical side effects from synthetic marijuana use include loss of control, seizures, hallucinations, vomiting and elevated heart rate and blood pressure.

Under the plan, businesses will be identified that pledge to not sell K2 or other synthetic designer drugs by a decal that will be posted in their store.

Public health code gives the health officer the authority to issue a public health order, should the health of the community be at stake, Fleece said. Violation of a public health order is a criminal offense, punishable by prison time and a fine.

"As law enforcement officials each of us is committed to working collaboratively with all of our community partners in efforts to keep the residents and visitors to Washtenaw County safe and secure," the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. "We believe that a strategy of community education and proactive engagement with our business partners is the best public policy approach and most effective plan for addressing a threat that has been linked in the past to serious health problems for some users."

The Ann Arbor Police Department, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office, Chelsea Police Department, Milan Police Department, Ypsilanti Police Department, Eastern Michigan University Police Department, and University of Michigan Police Department have committed to partnering with health officials to promote the decal campaign.

"The best solutions to community challenges must include community members themselves; therefore we encourage each of you to support this approach by only frequenting those establishments that have committed to not selling these potentially dangerous products and identifying establishments that choose to ignore the community’s public health concerns and calls for responsible action," sheriff Jerry Clayton said.

The Michigan House of Representatives recently to ban synthetic drugs in retail establishments.

"It's deplorable that young people who can't buy cigarettes can walk into a convenience store or gas station and purchase synthetic drugs," state Rep. Mark Ouimet, R-Scio Township said.  “These products are incredibly dangerous, and we must make a concerted effort to get them off the market as quickly as possible."

Retailers can visit www.ewashtenaw.org/stopk2spice to find more information and to take a pledge confirming their commitment not to sell synthetic designer drugs.