Attorney General Opposes Sale Of Synthetic Pot

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Over the past year, synthetic pot has become a big concern in the community. 

Around the nation, the drug has claimed the life of some, and now here in KELOLAND, several have been injured.

Don't let the word synthetic fool you because it's not as harmless as it may sound. In fact, the new fake pot fad is showing up in smoke shops and even schools across KELOLAND.

Attorney General Marty Jackley is concerned that people may not realize how severe the side effects are.

"The fact that these drugs are dangerous, they are especially dangerous because they are not under any provision of a medical provider testing to see about the dangerous health affects.  There is no prescriptions as amount of dosages," Jackley said.

These synthetic substances are illegal in South Dakota to sell for human consumption, but they are allowed to be sold as incense or potpourri. The biggest concern for Jackley is that it is causing health problems for minors.

"We have had some dangerous health effects in South Dakota, but luckily we have not had a death," Jackley said.

The next legislative session starts Tuesday, and Jackley is planning to stay busy to make sure all necessary changes are made.

"The next stage will be to enforce existing criminal statute and of course, we are working with the legislature this session to come up with additional ideas whether there needs to be an enhanced penalty if it involves a minor, whether we need to have analog-type statues like they do in other states," Jackley said.

In order to get fake pot off the streets, Jackley hopes people stay informed and understand the harm that synthetic drug can cause.

"The hope is that the public, along with minors, will make an informed decision that ingesting some of these substances into a body that have not been tested can have adverse health affects and it's not worth chancing it," Jackley said.