West Lafayette discusses banning K2

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The West Lafayette City Council proposed an ordinance to ban K2 from being sold within city limits. The proposed ordinance that would make it illegal for any person or business to sell, barter, give or publicly display any herbal based substance sold under the name K2 or Spice.

The city lists some of the names the herbal based substances are sold under in the ordinance which include K2, Spice Serenity Now, Spice Gold, Shokotsu, Afghan Incense, Baked, Black Magic, Buzz, Cherry Charm, Fire Bird, Fire "N" Ice, Pulse, Solitude and Voodoo. You can see the proposed ordinance and the compounds and substances that make up K2 on the West Lafayette website.

Council Member John Hoggatt just received his Ph.D. from Purdue University. Some of his research dealt with the effects a substance found in Spice had on mice. He said the compounds found in K2 are extremely dangerous.

The substances in K2 produce effects similar to marijuana.

"A 14-year-old could go into Amused or go into a Citgo gas station or go anywhere and buy this stuff. That is my big concern," he said. "Becoming aware how readily available they are. This creates at least a little more of a barrier. This is a way we can quickly address the issue while the state and federal government catch up."

West Lafayette police have asked businesses to stop selling the product while the city council decides whether or not to ban the herbal substance. Mayor John Dennis says all businesses have complied with the request.

The council will have a second reading of the ordinance and vote on it during the October meeting.

The substances are not categorized as illegal controlled substances under state or federal laws. County Prosecutor Pat Harrington said the earliest legislature could go into effect and ban K2 or spice is February 2011.