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NJ Attorney General Uses Emergency Powers To Ban Bath Salts
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 28, 2011
Modified Apr 28, 2011
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 28, 2011
Modified Apr 28, 2011
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Breaking news out of NJ: bath salts are dangerous! Sure, we've been hearing all about the dangers of bath salts for the last five months or so, but for some reason, it was all too much for the state to take anymore. Today, NJ Attorney General Paula Dow filed emergency rules designed to immediately ban the sale and manufacture of bath salts, and criminalize the muscle relaxing product.
“The name sounds innocent. They are not. We’re not talking about what the old days people referred to as the Epsom salts," Dow said. According to NJNewsroom, 23 people have been sickened and at least 12 people have been hospitalized since January 1. Back in March, two New Jersey legislators introduced legislation to ban the sale and use of bath salts; and before that, Chuck Schumer also announced a bill to ban the two active ingredients, adding them to the federal list of controlled substances. But today's emergency move is much more decisive.
State consumer affairs acting director Thomas Calcagni says that this past month, three users went to the hospital from the chemicals, whose side effects include hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates and suicidal thoughts. “He was foaming at the mouth, breathing rapidly,” said Calcagni of a 42-year-old man who took the drug. From here on, the six chemicals associated with the products will be classified in NJ as Class 1 controlled dangerous substances. Dow says anyone who voluntarily surrenders the bath salts to police by May 8 will not face criminal charges. But what kind of people would we be if we just voluntarily surrendered our beloved “Energizing Aromatherapy” or “Down2Earth White Horse”!?
Tagged
attorney general
bath salts
drugs
emergency rules
new jersey
nj
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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