Ballwin Moves to Outlaw Bath Salts, 'Synthetic Marijuana'

Two drugs discreetly sold at select gas stations, tobacco stores and similar outlets were outlawed by the state the last two summers, prompting Ballwin city staff this week to agree to draft similar ordinances for local enforcement.

Ballwin Police Chief Steven Schicker said Ballwin’s gas stations and other retailers do not carry either drug.

However, following a meeting this month with City Prosecutor Chris Graville, Schicker agreed the city should pursue a ban on the drugs, which would allow Ballwin to prosecute relevant cases in municipal court. Schicker said that would prevent cases involving less than 35 grams of one of the substances (or non-felony cases) from being dropped.

“Misdemeanor possessions normally would be deferred back to municipal court,” Schicker told board members. “So we’re just trying to plug the gap.”

One of the two drugs , commonly referred to as “bath salts,” is the chemical methylenedioxypyrovalerone  (or MDPV). It typically comes in a powered or crystallized form and is labeled by its street name. When the product is consumed, however, the reported effects include a wide breadth of emotions which have resulted in dramatic news reports. From the San Francisco Gate Chronicle:

Initial side effects, similar to Meth and Cocaine, include elevated heart rate, hypertension, irritability, extreme paranoia, delusions of super-human strength and invincibility, hallucinations, suicide, aggressive and violent behavior, and possibly even murder.

Alarming reports involving the use of bath salts also led the Food and Drug Administration this month to put an emergency ban on the chemicals used in their manufacture.

The other type of drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, are sold in similar places and usually are labeled “K2” or “spice.”

The product resembles potpourri or tobacco, and oftentimes is labeled as incense. When smoked, the product partially mimics the effects of marijuana. In lieu of marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, however, which is derived from cannabis plants, K2 relies on a chemical synthesized in a lab that’s believed to be sprayed on the plant-like materials.

At Ballwin’s Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday, the board agreed to move forward with drafting an ordinance banning both substances. The next Board of Aldermen meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 10.