Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control to Hold Hearing on Dangerous Synthetic Drugs

The hearing examined the impact of dangerous synthetic drugs, such as Molly, K2, Spice and so-called “bath salts” and ways in which drug traffickers are circumventing existing law.  Senator Feinstein recently introduced the Protecting Our Youth from Dangerous Synthetic Drugs Act of 2013 to combat synthetic drugs designed to mimic the effects of controlled substances like ecstasy, PCP and LSD, as well as THC, the principal chemical in marijuana. These controlled substance analogues are currently inadequately controlled under existing federal drug laws.

Senator Feinstein's Statement | Senator Grassley's Statement

Witnesses:

Michael Botticelli (Testimony)
Deputy Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy

Nora Volkow, M.D. (Testimony)
Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse

Joseph T. Rannazzisi (Testimony)
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control
Drug Enforcement Administration

Timothy Heaphy (Testimony)
U.S. Attorney, Western District of Virginia
U.S. Attorney’s Office