AMARILLO, TX -- Several Amarillo head shops have confirmed to Pronews 7 that they are continuing to sell synthetic marijuana.
This as yesterday marks the U.S. Drug Enforcement Adminstration's (DEA) first day of its one-year ban of five of the chemical compounds commonly used to make "fake pot." Back in November, the DEA announced it would be illegal for at least one year to possess and sell the chemicals or the products that contain them in the U.S.
The shops Pronews 7 spoke with seemed unaware that the new ban was in place.
The DEA used its emergency scheduling power to ban the drug for 12 months as it researches the compounds. The ban can be extended for another six months if the administration needs it.
On its website, the DEA listed the following reason for the ban:
"This emergency action was necessary to prevent an imminent threat to public health and safety. The temporary scheduling action will remain in effect for at least one year while the DEA and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) further study whether these chemicals should be permanently controlled."
At the end of the 12-18 month ban, the DEA will release a final ruling on whether or not to make the substances permanently illegal. If made illegal, the substances would be classified as a Schedule I drug, the same category as marijuana and heroin.
The ban targets five compounds commonly used in the products, but some manufacturers already have new products that do not contain any of the chemicals named in the ban.
