ST. ANN, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
Is it a relaxing incense or a synthesized marijuana? That's the debate in the public and soon to be in the Missouri legislature about something commonly called K-2. And people are buying it as a legal replacement for marijuana.
"It's science getting ahead of law," which is why police like Franklin County Drug Enforcement officer Sgt. Jason Grellner are urging caution over K-2 and similar incenses.
"We don't know where this is being made we dont know if this being made in a clean atmosphere in a laboratory or if this is a bunch of guys in a barn out back somewhere," argues Grellner.
Where it comes from is as mysterious and debated as what it does.
"It has a relaxant quality people enjoy it its popular its not illegal," says Ryan Dixon who sells it at his St. Ann Smoke-n-Stuff store and he has every right to. It's not a tobacco product so even minors can purchase it although here its 18 and over and thats at least the way it should stay Dixon argues.
"If we are going to talk about banning this incense I think its appropriate to talk about banning energy drinks or banning caffeine," Dixon argues.
"I dont believe that is connected to pot in any way shape or form," says shop owner John Tabatt. Like Dixon, Tabatt sells the incense at his South 94 Bait and Smoke shop and he says he should every right to sell it.
When it leaves my store its an incense and what people use it for after it leaves my store that is their business.
Whatever shop owners see it as many of those buying it see it as a legal alternative to pot, drug enforcers see it as an unknown danger.
"We dont know the side effects we dont know what it's doing to the brain if it's going to be harmful to anyone who uses it," says Grellner, we dont know the full effects of it on impaired driving, which is why some are working to outlaw it in the state legislature.
"A 10-year-old can buy potpourri the problem is thats not what its being used for," says Rep. Ward Franz from West Plains,"I worry about the effect one our children."
So Franz is behind a bill that would ban this type of incense. The bill will be heard in a committee and Franz expects it to make it out and likes his chances of it making it to the Governor's desk but until that happens K-2 is simply a legal incense.
Scientists have synthesized some of marijuanas property and left the illegal T-H-C out which has kept it legal but the question is for how long.
"It's science getting ahead of law," which is why police like Franklin County Drug Enforcement officer Sgt. Jason Grellner are urging caution over K-2 and similar incenses.
"We don't know where this is being made we dont know if this being made in a clean atmosphere in a laboratory or if this is a bunch of guys in a barn out back somewhere," argues Grellner.
Where it comes from is as mysterious and debated as what it does.
"It has a relaxant quality people enjoy it its popular its not illegal," says Ryan Dixon who sells it at his St. Ann Smoke-n-Stuff store and he has every right to. It's not a tobacco product so even minors can purchase it although here its 18 and over and thats at least the way it should stay Dixon argues.
"If we are going to talk about banning this incense I think its appropriate to talk about banning energy drinks or banning caffeine," Dixon argues.
"I dont believe that is connected to pot in any way shape or form," says shop owner John Tabatt. Like Dixon, Tabatt sells the incense at his South 94 Bait and Smoke shop and he says he should every right to sell it.
When it leaves my store its an incense and what people use it for after it leaves my store that is their business.
Whatever shop owners see it as many of those buying it see it as a legal alternative to pot, drug enforcers see it as an unknown danger.
"We dont know the side effects we dont know what it's doing to the brain if it's going to be harmful to anyone who uses it," says Grellner, we dont know the full effects of it on impaired driving, which is why some are working to outlaw it in the state legislature.
"A 10-year-old can buy potpourri the problem is thats not what its being used for," says Rep. Ward Franz from West Plains,"I worry about the effect one our children."
So Franz is behind a bill that would ban this type of incense. The bill will be heard in a committee and Franz expects it to make it out and likes his chances of it making it to the Governor's desk but until that happens K-2 is simply a legal incense.
Scientists have synthesized some of marijuanas property and left the illegal T-H-C out which has kept it legal but the question is for how long.
