Police on alert for 'incense' used as drug
POST FALLS — Idaho could become one of the next states to make chemically-laced incense illegal.
Post Falls police Chief Scot Haug said emergency legislation to curb use of the product will be introduced by Idaho State Police during the regular Legislature.
The product has been sold under several brand names, including Spice, K2, Black Mamba, Yucatan Fire, Voodoo and Blaze, at smoke shops and online. It is marketed as incense, but usually smoked by users for a marijuana-like high with hallucinogenic results.
Post Falls Lt. Greg McLean said the product is known to be dangerous, has sent dozens to the hospital nationwide and has even resulted in death.
“Lawmakers are taking this pretty seriously after hearing from law enforcement about how dangerous it can be,” McLean said.
At least six states in the South and Midwest have made it illegal this year and several others are considering legislation.
The products, which are sprayed with chemicals that mimic the effects of the active ingredient in pot, are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so manufacturers have total freedom about what goes into them.
While those hospitalized have had many of the same symptoms as taking too many stimulants, including tremors, vomiting, increased agitation, strokes and high blood pressure, no official studies have been conducted on its effects on humans.
McLean said officers have been made aware of the product and police last week met with high school administration on the topic.
“We want people to be aware of it and see how it comes into the community,” McLean said.
The difficulty, in addition to it being legal, is that the synthetic does not produce positive results in drug tests.
“If you can’t test it, how can you enforce it?” said Haug, adding that’s a reason for the urgent legislation.
However, it is possible to detect in urine.
McLean said there is a statute that allows police to prosecute juveniles who are using the product in an inappropriate manner.
McLean said officers haven’t seen a serious problem yet, but it’s on the street and making national headlines.
“It’s been discovered by people in the area,” he said, adding that he’s unaware of any Kootenai County businesses selling the product but it is being sold by some in Spokane.
When Haug briefed Gov. Butch Otter on the products during a meeting in Post Falls this week, Otter said he was already aware of it.