The following is a message from the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy.
The short version of the new law is summarized in my title. K2/Spice (synthetic marijuana) is no longer legal to possess or sell in Iowa. Until now, this could be found at various head shops, over-the-counter, in Iowa City. Now, please be advised that carrying these substances carries a higher penalty than carrying actual marijuana.
Please see the Governor’s message below:
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad today signed into law legislation (SF 510) that outlaws newer and potentially dangerous drugs. The new law classifies synthetic designer drugs known as synthetic cannabinoids and so called “bath salts” as Schedule One Controlled Substances in the State of Iowa. The new designation means these products have no medicinal value and are illegal to sell, manufacture, or possess. The new law also applies to the organic drug Salvia divinorum.
The penalty for the manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver any of these substances is an aggravated misdemeanor. The penalty for possession of these substances is a serious misdemeanor.
Synthetic cannabinoids—such as K2—can cause vomiting, elevated blood pressure, seizures, anxiety, intense hallucinations and panic attacks. So-called “bath salts”—such as MDPV—can cause rapid heartbeats, elevated blood pressure, hallucinations, paranoia, depression and violence. Salvia divinorum can cause dizziness, impairment, hallucinations, depression and schizophrenia.
Criminal penalties for violation of the synthetic cannabinoids such as K-2, Spice are effective immediately.
Legislative language seems to suggest that criminal penalties for bath salts and salvia will take effect thirty days from today, giving retail sellers time to transfer the newly banned products to the Iowa Department of Public Safety for destruction. Others have interpreted this legislation to make criminal penalties for bath salts and salvia effective sixty-days after enactment. Please see an analysis by Assistant Iowa Attorney General Pete Grady for further information on the effective for bath salts and Saliva.
Iowa’s new law banning all three substances and the analysis by assistant Attorney General Grady are available at the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) website.