FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
April 26, 2012
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF “SPICE” BILL;
ANTI-DRUG BILL IS PART OF AG LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange praised the Alabama
Legislature for its passage of legislation to ban synthetic drugs. Senate Bill 208 and
House Bill 158, often referred to as the “spice” bill, are among the bills in a legislative
package advocated by Attorney General Strange. This legislation achieved final
approval this morning when the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 208 by a
vote of 99 to 0. The legislation now goes to the Governor for his signature.
“I am pleased that we have gained passage of this legislation, which is vital for
public health and safety,” said Attorney General Strange. “When easy availability over
store counters was endangering the people of Alabama, we took action with the State
Department of Public Health to regulate and fight these dangerous substances. The
power of this law will give officers better tools to combat this threat and to provide
strong penalties for offenders. Our citizens can be proud of the leadership by the
sponsors of this important measure, Representatives Allen Farley and Randy Wood,
and Senator Arthur Orr. I also want to thank Speaker Mike Hubbard and Rep. Blaine
Galliher for getting this bill on the calendar in position for passage today, and the
Alabama District Attorneys Association for its partnership in this effort.”
The bills regulate synthetic marijuana and other similar substances. Synthetic
substances that mimic marijuana or other drugs, often referred to as “spice,” “bath salts”
or various other names, are being created with chemical compounds which had not
been identified and prohibited as controlled substances under state law. The State
Department of Public Health previously has taken regulatory action regarding this, and
now the classification of the chemicals and chemical compounds as controlled
substances under state law would give law enforcement stronger tools to combat their
abuse.
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
