angelburst29
The Living Force
I wonder - if this State of Emergency declared over Synthetic Cannabinoid might have some connection - to a FTA released statement (issued on the same date 8-14-14) about fraudulent Ebola treatment products? What's next, vitamins in Drug Stores?
Here: _http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm410086.htm
New Hampshire Governor Hassan Declares State of Emergency as a Result of Overdoses from Synthetic Cannabinoid
_http://www.governor.nh.gov/media/news/2014/pr-2014-08-14-emergency.htm
Press Release - For Immediate Release
Thursday August 14, 2014
State of Emergency Triggers HHS Public Health Powers to Quarantine Commodity Identified as Smacked!
CONCORD – In order to protect public health and well-being, Governor Maggie Hassan today declared a State of Emergency in the State of New Hampshire as a result of recent overdoses in Manchester and Concord as a result of the use or misuse of the synthetic cannabinoid identified as "Smacked!".
The declaration of a State of Emergency triggers the Department of Health and Human Services public health powers under RSA 21-P:53 or any other applicable statute to investigate, isolate or quarantine and require the destruction of the commodity in question. The department will work closely with local police departments to quarantine the "Bubblegum Flavor" of "Smacked!".
Since August 11, 2014, the Manchester Police Department and local health authorities reported at least 41 people in the Manchester area have experienced serious medical reactions to the synthetic cannabinoid and at least 20 were taken by ambulance to Manchester hospitals for treatment. In addition, the Concord Police Department has reported at least three cases in the last 24 hours.
"These products pose a serious threat to public health, especially to young people, and it is our responsibility to do whatever we can to combat the recent rash of overdoses," Governor Hassan said. "In consultation with the New Hampshire Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, public health officials in the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General's office, I have declared a State of Emergency so that we can move quickly to stop the sale of this dangerous substance that has caused an outbreak of serious overdoses."
While not related to overdoses at this time, samples of at least two other brands of synthetic cannabinoids, "Crazy Monkey" and "Green Giant," have tested positive for controlled substances. Store owners are reminded that it is illegal to sell or consume these controlled substances under New Hampshire law.
Other brands of synthetic cannabinoids may also pose dangers for substance abuse and public health. Stores are encouraged to voluntarily remove all synthetic cannabinoids from their shelves.
Generally referred to as "spice," synthetic cannabinoids are chemically engineered substances similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana. While they are labeled as not for human consumption, "herbal incense" products of this type are known to be ingested by smoking or brewing into a tea because they contain synthetic cannabinoids.
"It's very important that individuals be made aware that use of this product poses serious and immediate danger to their personal health," Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas said. "We strongly recommend the public avoid any use of this product, and we will work with local police departments as quickly as possible to put the quarantine into effect."
Attorney General Joseph Foster said, "As we have seen in recent days in Manchester and Concord, the misuse of products like 'Smacked!' can cause significant and adverse health risks. Therefore, we are strongly recommending that merchants who have similar products remove them from their shelves and destroy their current inventory. Retailers that continue to knowingly sell these dangerous or illegal products are placed on notice that they could be held responsible for harm caused to a user of the product."
The Governor's declaration will last 21 days unless terminated earlier or extended by further order.
(The full text of the declaration is below and attached.)
Manchester City Officials Shut Down Three Stores Selling 'Spice'
_http://nhpr.org/post/manchester-city-officials-shut-down-three-stores-selling-spice
Wednesday August 13, 2014
City officials in Manchester have shut down three convenience stores they say were selling a dangerous form of a synthetic drug called spice.
Police have responded to several overdoses at inner-city parks this week from people smoking the substance.
Police say it’s a particular brand of spice being sold in the city that’s causing problems.
The department responded to nine overdoses on Tuesday, and more than 20 on Monday.
The substance is labeled as incense, but Sgt. Brian O’Keefe says it’s sprayed with a synthetic compound similar to THC, the drug found in marijuana.
“Whatever is in that substance that they’re spraying the vegetative matter with, it’s causing the uptick in the overdoses.”
O’Keefe says of particular concern is the way the product is marketed toward teens.
He says Chief David Mara is involved in talks with city leaders to explore possibly banning the sale of the substance in Manchester.
Police: Pelham business owner was selling 'spice'
_http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_26352965/police-pelham-business-owner-was-selling-spice
Sunday August 17, 2014
PELHAM -- One day after New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan declared a state of emergency in response to recent overdoses caused by synthetic marijuana, Pelham police arrested the owner of a Bridge Street cigarette store for selling it.
Police said they spent about six months investigating the sale of synthetic marijuana, also known as "spice," at Ace Discount Cigarettes at 30 Bridge St., and that they had previously asked the owner to voluntarily stop such sales.
Christopher Matte, 43, the owner of Ace Discount Cigarettes, is now charged with two counts of felony sale of drugs after police on Friday served search warrants at two locations, one of which was his store.
Upon executing the search warrants, Pelham detectives and state troopers say they recovered about $7,000 in cash along with more than 100 individual bags of synthetic marijuana. They say the individual bags were being sold for $19.99.
Hassan declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to more than 40 incidents in the Manchester area in which people who used synthetic marijuana required medical attention. The state of emergency enables the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to investigate, quarantine and require the destruction of any such products.
Some brands of synthetic marijuana are illegal in New Hampshire, others remain legal due to tweaks in the chemical formulas used to make them.
Pelham police had been investigating Ace Discount Cigarettes for months, and say the shop was burglarized in October 2013, at which time Matte claimed nothing was taken. Investigators later learned that his entire supply of synthetic marijuana had been targeted and stolen, according to police.
More recently, there was an incident in which a person in Pelham required medical attention after using synthetic marijuana, so police approached Matte and asked him to stop selling it, according to police.
"We went to the store and explained the situation and the dangers of the brand he was selling, and asked him not to sell it anymore," said Sgt. Mike Pickles. "He chose not to do that, so we investigated farther."
Police say detectives were able to use an undercover officer to make several controlled buys of the synthetic marijuana directly from Matte. Several different brands were bought throughout the investigation.
The products were then sent to the New Hampshire State Laboratory for analysis.
Matte, who lives in Hudson, was booked at the Pelham Police Department and later bailed on $10,000 personal recognizance bail. He has a court date of Sept. 22 at Salem District Court.
Further arrests are expected, police said.
Manchester City Officials Shut Down Three Stores Selling 'Spice'
_http://nhpr.org/post/manchester-city-officials-shut-down-three-stores-selling-spice
Wednesday August 13, 2014
City officials in Manchester have shut down three convenience stores they say were selling a dangerous form of a synthetic drug called spice.
Police have responded to several overdoses at inner-city parks this week from people smoking the substance.
Police say it’s a particular brand of spice being sold in the city that’s causing problems.
The department responded to nine overdoses on Tuesday, and more than 20 on Monday.
Here: _http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm410086.htm
New Hampshire Governor Hassan Declares State of Emergency as a Result of Overdoses from Synthetic Cannabinoid
_http://www.governor.nh.gov/media/news/2014/pr-2014-08-14-emergency.htm
Press Release - For Immediate Release
Thursday August 14, 2014
State of Emergency Triggers HHS Public Health Powers to Quarantine Commodity Identified as Smacked!
CONCORD – In order to protect public health and well-being, Governor Maggie Hassan today declared a State of Emergency in the State of New Hampshire as a result of recent overdoses in Manchester and Concord as a result of the use or misuse of the synthetic cannabinoid identified as "Smacked!".
The declaration of a State of Emergency triggers the Department of Health and Human Services public health powers under RSA 21-P:53 or any other applicable statute to investigate, isolate or quarantine and require the destruction of the commodity in question. The department will work closely with local police departments to quarantine the "Bubblegum Flavor" of "Smacked!".
Since August 11, 2014, the Manchester Police Department and local health authorities reported at least 41 people in the Manchester area have experienced serious medical reactions to the synthetic cannabinoid and at least 20 were taken by ambulance to Manchester hospitals for treatment. In addition, the Concord Police Department has reported at least three cases in the last 24 hours.
"These products pose a serious threat to public health, especially to young people, and it is our responsibility to do whatever we can to combat the recent rash of overdoses," Governor Hassan said. "In consultation with the New Hampshire Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, public health officials in the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General's office, I have declared a State of Emergency so that we can move quickly to stop the sale of this dangerous substance that has caused an outbreak of serious overdoses."
While not related to overdoses at this time, samples of at least two other brands of synthetic cannabinoids, "Crazy Monkey" and "Green Giant," have tested positive for controlled substances. Store owners are reminded that it is illegal to sell or consume these controlled substances under New Hampshire law.
Other brands of synthetic cannabinoids may also pose dangers for substance abuse and public health. Stores are encouraged to voluntarily remove all synthetic cannabinoids from their shelves.
Generally referred to as "spice," synthetic cannabinoids are chemically engineered substances similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana. While they are labeled as not for human consumption, "herbal incense" products of this type are known to be ingested by smoking or brewing into a tea because they contain synthetic cannabinoids.
"It's very important that individuals be made aware that use of this product poses serious and immediate danger to their personal health," Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas said. "We strongly recommend the public avoid any use of this product, and we will work with local police departments as quickly as possible to put the quarantine into effect."
Attorney General Joseph Foster said, "As we have seen in recent days in Manchester and Concord, the misuse of products like 'Smacked!' can cause significant and adverse health risks. Therefore, we are strongly recommending that merchants who have similar products remove them from their shelves and destroy their current inventory. Retailers that continue to knowingly sell these dangerous or illegal products are placed on notice that they could be held responsible for harm caused to a user of the product."
The Governor's declaration will last 21 days unless terminated earlier or extended by further order.
(The full text of the declaration is below and attached.)
Manchester City Officials Shut Down Three Stores Selling 'Spice'
_http://nhpr.org/post/manchester-city-officials-shut-down-three-stores-selling-spice
Wednesday August 13, 2014
City officials in Manchester have shut down three convenience stores they say were selling a dangerous form of a synthetic drug called spice.
Police have responded to several overdoses at inner-city parks this week from people smoking the substance.
Police say it’s a particular brand of spice being sold in the city that’s causing problems.
The department responded to nine overdoses on Tuesday, and more than 20 on Monday.
The substance is labeled as incense, but Sgt. Brian O’Keefe says it’s sprayed with a synthetic compound similar to THC, the drug found in marijuana.
“Whatever is in that substance that they’re spraying the vegetative matter with, it’s causing the uptick in the overdoses.”
O’Keefe says of particular concern is the way the product is marketed toward teens.
He says Chief David Mara is involved in talks with city leaders to explore possibly banning the sale of the substance in Manchester.
Police: Pelham business owner was selling 'spice'
_http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_26352965/police-pelham-business-owner-was-selling-spice
Sunday August 17, 2014
PELHAM -- One day after New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan declared a state of emergency in response to recent overdoses caused by synthetic marijuana, Pelham police arrested the owner of a Bridge Street cigarette store for selling it.
Police said they spent about six months investigating the sale of synthetic marijuana, also known as "spice," at Ace Discount Cigarettes at 30 Bridge St., and that they had previously asked the owner to voluntarily stop such sales.
Christopher Matte, 43, the owner of Ace Discount Cigarettes, is now charged with two counts of felony sale of drugs after police on Friday served search warrants at two locations, one of which was his store.
Upon executing the search warrants, Pelham detectives and state troopers say they recovered about $7,000 in cash along with more than 100 individual bags of synthetic marijuana. They say the individual bags were being sold for $19.99.
Hassan declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to more than 40 incidents in the Manchester area in which people who used synthetic marijuana required medical attention. The state of emergency enables the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to investigate, quarantine and require the destruction of any such products.
Some brands of synthetic marijuana are illegal in New Hampshire, others remain legal due to tweaks in the chemical formulas used to make them.
Pelham police had been investigating Ace Discount Cigarettes for months, and say the shop was burglarized in October 2013, at which time Matte claimed nothing was taken. Investigators later learned that his entire supply of synthetic marijuana had been targeted and stolen, according to police.
More recently, there was an incident in which a person in Pelham required medical attention after using synthetic marijuana, so police approached Matte and asked him to stop selling it, according to police.
"We went to the store and explained the situation and the dangers of the brand he was selling, and asked him not to sell it anymore," said Sgt. Mike Pickles. "He chose not to do that, so we investigated farther."
Police say detectives were able to use an undercover officer to make several controlled buys of the synthetic marijuana directly from Matte. Several different brands were bought throughout the investigation.
The products were then sent to the New Hampshire State Laboratory for analysis.
Matte, who lives in Hudson, was booked at the Pelham Police Department and later bailed on $10,000 personal recognizance bail. He has a court date of Sept. 22 at Salem District Court.
Further arrests are expected, police said.
Manchester City Officials Shut Down Three Stores Selling 'Spice'
_http://nhpr.org/post/manchester-city-officials-shut-down-three-stores-selling-spice
Wednesday August 13, 2014
City officials in Manchester have shut down three convenience stores they say were selling a dangerous form of a synthetic drug called spice.
Police have responded to several overdoses at inner-city parks this week from people smoking the substance.
Police say it’s a particular brand of spice being sold in the city that’s causing problems.
The department responded to nine overdoses on Tuesday, and more than 20 on Monday.
