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S5888Senate2015-2016 SessionSame asA4175

Relates to criminalizing the sale, use and possession of synthetic drugs

Sponsor Robert OrttSD-62Affects Legal
Status
In Assembly Committee
Codes
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 5 of 7

In Assembly · Codes

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Robert Ortt

Senator · Senate District 62

Chair, Mental Health And Developmental Disabilities

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Referred to codes
  2. Delivered to assembly
  3. Passed senateVote 52–7
  4. Ordered to third reading cal.1002
  5. Committee discharged and committed to rules
  6. Referred to codes
  7. Returned to senate
  8. Died in assembly
  9. Referred to codes
  10. Delivered to assembly
  11. Passed senateVote 61–2
  12. Ordered to third reading cal.1742
Show 1 earlier action
  1. Referred to rules

Companion bill

The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.

A4175Assembly

Relates to criminalizing the sale, use and possession of synthetic drugs

In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Mickey Kearns

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

BILL NUMBER:S5888

Title of bill

An act to amend the penal law, in relation to the criminalization of selling, using or possessing synthetic drugs

Purpose of the bill

This bill would add synthetic hallucinogenic compounds and chemical derivatives on the controlled substance list.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 Amend the penal law adding a new section 220.66 to criminalize the sale, use of synthetic drugs and other similar compounds.

Justification

This legislation would crack down on this dangerous trend. that is growing among the youth. The US Association for Poison Control in 2010 reported 1300 overdoses directly related to synthetic drugs, and in 2011 there was a tenfold increase to over 13,000 overdoses. Over 60% of the users are under 25 years old.

Synthetic drugs are substances with structural features and effects similar to those in THC, the main compound found in marijuana. These drugs are chemically created in laboratories where the effects of are enhanced resulting in a dangerous and addictive drug. These chemicals are extremely dangerous and are falsely advertised as incense, bath salts in order to "legally" be sold. The use of this synthetic drug is widespread and is a growing trend among teens because of its legal status and accessibility.

The drugs are manufactured by drug companies primarily in China. These laboratories can change the chemical makeup so that new substances are not found on the list of controlled substances and thus no criminal liability attaches to the seller despite harmful effects to users. The revenue or profit ratio for organic drugs is around 20 to 40 dollars for each dollar spent, with potential cost. of an A felony. The revenue ratio for synthetic drugs is 75 dollars to each one spent and there is no criminal liability because the law is not catching up with the new drugs in any given year to make the sale or consumption criminal.

Prior legislative history

None

Fiscal implications for state

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.