Bill targeting bath salts, spice compounds introduced

January 29, 2013

Drug experts say synthetic drugs can be more addictive than other drugs because the strength varies from one product to another. Now a bill aimed at outlawing synthetic drugs, such as bath salts and spice, is making its way through the Arizona legislature.

Representative Eddie Farnsworth says his bill is aimed at getting ahead of the cycle where legislators outlaw one recipe and manufacturers change the formula to one that is not covered.

Farnsworth told Cronkite News Service that chemists have identified the most basic formulas used to create synthetic drugs. He says his bill would ban those basic formulas making the new synthetics illegal despite any changes.

Farnsworth says his bill is only a partial solution, noting that completely new drugs can surface.

The bill must be approved by the State House before being heard in the Senate.