Rockland Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski Calls For Ban On Synthetic Marijuana
NEW CITY, NY (WCBS 880) - A New York lawmaker wants parents not to fear what their kids might pick up at the mall.
Sick of the loopholes, New York State Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski of Rockland County is pushing a bill that would ban chemicals known as synthetic marijuana or legal ecstasy.
WCBS 880's Catherine Cioffi with Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski
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He says after the incident at the Palisades Center mall involving teenagers sickened after smoking incense, he's looking to expand the bill.
The legislation would add a host of chemical compounds including "Spice" and "K2" to the New York State controlled substance list.
"They mimic the negative effects of drugs. They have serious health consequences," Zebrowski tells WCBS 880 reporter Catherine Cioffi.
He says these chemical herbal concoctions need to be dealt with the same way other illicit drugs are.
"Currently, these substances are not regulated. So, we need to close those loopholes in order to protect people and protect our kids," says Zebrowski. "We need to make sure that our drug laws are keeping up with new technologies."