Deputy Juan Lobos requests "Spice" be classified as an illegal substance

SANTIAGO.- UDI Deputy Juan Lobos has proposed the need to urgently pass a law to declare the drug known as "Spice", or synthetic marihuana, an illegal substance. The deputy seemed concerned about the possibility that the substance may already be being marketed in the country, causing severe health consequences for those who use it.

The product is sold as an "incense" and comprises a variety of herbs, as well as artificial chemical substance known as JWH-018 that some specialists say may cause an effect four times stronger than that of the THC in Cannabis Sativa.

The harm caused to the mental health of those who are addicted to the substance can be serious, since there have been reports of psychotic and schizophrenic experiences.

Lobos warned that, since the end of last year, several European countries have declared the drug illegal, allowing enough time to pass for the Ministry of Health to form an opinion on the matter and take the initiative to pass legislation.

The Member of Parliament argued that the only way to prevent growing sales and consumption of the drug is to place it on the list of illegal substances as soon as possible.