Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced Thursday the House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee unanimously sent to the full House an amendment to the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act that will help address the synthetic drug problem in Illinois. House Bill 5233 defines a "synthetic drug product" as one that contains a controlled substance not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The bill makes it illegal under the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act to sell these drugs, or to falsely advertise a synthetic drug product. The bill would also prosecute those who distribute, possess, or falsely advertise a synthetic drug product. Charges would range from a Class 1 felony to a Class 3 felony. Madigan says combating the drug problem is challenging since the chemical make up can be altered by manufacturers to avoid violating the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Also the drugs are sold in packages that claim the products are legal, in which they are not.
Synthetic drug use is on the rise across the country, with 6,890 calls to Poison Control Centers related to synthetic marijuana use, and 6,072 calls made related to bath salts. Attorney General Madigan has been mobilizing Illinois law enforcement in addressing the dangers of synthetic drugs. Her office also has been leading a series of synthetic drug busts in coordination with local and county law enforcement officers at retail stores throughout the state. Most recent drug bust and raids include five businesses in Centralia in early February, resulting in 2,480 packages seized, estimated at $51,103. full story
