Senator Venditto Calls For Harsher Penalties,Outlawing K-2

New York State Senator Michael Venditto, (R, C, I- Massapequa) joined with Assemblyman Ed Ra and Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray recently, in front of Nassau University Medical Center to call for outlawing synthetic marijuana (K-2) and require additional drug testing for felons. 

“Kate Murray, Ed Ra and I have discussed the devastating potential of K-2 and other synthetic cannabinoids,” stated Venditto. Given the apparent dramatic increase in the use of this drug, it is important that we take steps to protect neighbors with strong legislation.”

They were also joined by Nassau County Police Benevolent Association President Jim Carver and Warren Zysman, CEO and Chief Program Director of ACI Chemical Dependency Treatment Center.

Currently under New York State Law, only a narrow selection of scheduled substances have analog protection. That is, manufacturers often only need to chemically "tweak" a drug to avoid scheduling. This creates a game of cat and mouse, with legislation and enforcement far slower to act than the manufacturers of designer drugs.

"In the Senate this year, I voted for legislation which is designed to mimic the Federal Controlled Substances Act which mandates any chemical substances that are analogous to already banned substances are they themselves banned. This legislation, which passed the Senate, would better equip law enforcement and district attorneys in New York with the tools they need to prosecute and enforce the illegal sale of synthetic marijuana, including K-2," said Senator Venditto.