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4/2/2014
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House OKs Corvese’s bill to ban hallucinogenic substances
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STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Arthur J. Corvese to include the hallucinogenic drugs salvia divinorum, gypsum or jimsom weed as Schedule 1 controlled substances under state law.
The legislation (2014-H 7191) is meant to target unregulated substances that are being sold to give users a high.
According to Representative Corvese, the drugs can be found at some convenience stores and gas stations, and their availability can give people the false impression that their high is somehow safe.
“Unregulated hallucinogens are not safe, and we should treat these drugs as the dangerous substances they are. As long as these substances aren’t illegal, even children can walk into their local corner store and walk out with a drug that could cause them serious harm,” said Representative Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence).
Salvia divinorum is an herb that can be used as a hallucinogen. Jimson weed, or datura stramonium, is also used as a hallucinogen, and can be fatally toxic.
Although neither of the drugs is currently banned under federal law, several states other have taken action to control the two drugs due to reports of their abuse.
Last year, the state added synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic substances with more dangerous side effects than the naturally occurring drug they mimic, to the state’s Schedule 1 list. Those, too, were available at gas stations and convenience stores.
Adding the drugs to Schedule 1 bans their possession, production and sale, and makes violations subject to the same penalties as those for marijuana and other drugs.
“There are always people developing or marketing new highs as a means to get around existing drug laws. It’s up to us to respond quickly to update our laws, for the safety of the public, especially children,” said Representative Corvese.
The legislation, which is cosponsored by Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence), Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly), Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Portsmouth, Tiverton) and Rep. Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence). It will now go to the Senate, where a similar bill (2014-S 2651) is being sponsored by Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston).
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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