(Washington, DC)–US Representative Sue Myrick (NC-09) today praised the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for their decision to make illegal the possession or sale of synthetic marijuana and the chemicals used to manufacture this substance.

Earlier this month, Rep. Myrick wrote a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging the Department of Justice to prevent the distribution of this product, also known as “Spice” or “K2”. 

“Given the unknown health risks associated with this new drug, I ask that you use any of your authorities – including adding this compound to the schedule of controlled substances – to prevent the distribution of this product.  I also ask that you provide me with information about ways in which Congress can help the Department of Justice regulate this potentially dangerous product,” Rep. Myrick wrote in her letter. 

The DEA announced on Wednesday, November 24, that possessing and selling the chemicals to make synthetic marijuana or the product itself will be “illegal in the US for at least one year while the DEA and the US Department of Health and Human Services further study whether these chemicals and products should be permanently controlled”.

Click here for Rep. Myrick’s letter to the Dept. of Justice.

Click here for the Nov. 24 press release from the DEA.