SENATOR COLLINS JOINS FIGHT TO BAN BATH SALTS UNDER FEDERAL LAW
U.S. Senator Susan Collins is cosponsoring legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to make “bath salts” illegal in the United States. Bath salts are made of the synthetic chemicals called MDPV and Mephedrone. Although illegal in Maine and 31 other states, these harmful chemicals are not illegal under federal law and are readily available to anyone on the internet and in stores across the country.
“I am deeply concerned with terrible effects of these drugs on people in Maine, and across the country,” said Senator Collins. “These chemicals are no less harmful than those found in currently illegal narcotics like methamphetamines and cocaine. With the use of this drug rapidly increasing, the longer we wait to permanently ban the substance, the more we put people at senseless risk. In Maine, there have been several reported cases of people, apparently under the influence of bath salts, engaging in violent and destructive behavior. We need to take action to prevent this drug from proliferating.”
The growing pace of the problem has lawmakers in Maine poised to consider increased penalties for the trafficking and possession of bath salts. Recently, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced it would make these drugs illegal for one year while the Department of Health and Human Services studies whether the chemicals should be permanently banned.
Legislation that Senator Collins is cosponsoring, called the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act, has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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“I am deeply concerned with terrible effects of these drugs on people in Maine, and across the country,” said Senator Collins. “These chemicals are no less harmful than those found in currently illegal narcotics like methamphetamines and cocaine. With the use of this drug rapidly increasing, the longer we wait to permanently ban the substance, the more we put people at senseless risk. In Maine, there have been several reported cases of people, apparently under the influence of bath salts, engaging in violent and destructive behavior. We need to take action to prevent this drug from proliferating.”
The growing pace of the problem has lawmakers in Maine poised to consider increased penalties for the trafficking and possession of bath salts. Recently, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced it would make these drugs illegal for one year while the Department of Health and Human Services studies whether the chemicals should be permanently banned.
Legislation that Senator Collins is cosponsoring, called the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act, has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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