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Attorney General Applauds Passage of Bill Outlawing "Spice"

August 27, 2010

Jackson--Mississippi lawmakers have passed Attorney General-supported legislation to outlaw the substance known as "spice."

The passage of Senate Bill 2004, sponsored by a bi-partisan group of lawmakers led by Senator Michael Watson, came late today during the 2010 Second Extraordinary Session.

Among the bill's provisions:

n  penalties that mirror those in the marijuana statute.  Mississippi penalties for possession of controlled substances are outlined in the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.  Code Section 41-29-139 (b) (3) states that offenders may be imprisoned up to three years and fined up to $3,000 for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.

n  retailers must immediately stop selling "spice" and similar products, and have until October 1, 2010 to get such products back to distributors.

"I applaud our lawmakers for recognizing the great need for this legislation," said Attorney General Jim Hood. "We are sending a message with this law, saying Mississippi will not tolerate the clever disguising and marketing of harmful substances."

"Spice" is a synthetic marijuana that has become a growing problem for many Mississippi communities.  Convenience stores and other businesses have been selling these substances over the counter to minors as well as adults.  The products are usually marketed as "incense," but when smoked produce a high similar to that of smoking marijuana.

The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.