Baltimore City Council
File #: 15-0584    Version: 0 Name: Psychoactive Substances
Type: Ordinance Status: Enacted
File created: 10/26/2015 In control: City Council
On agenda: Final action: 1/29/2016
Enactment #: 16-440
Title: Psychoactive Substances FOR the purpose of prohibiting the distribution of psychoactive substances; defining certain terms; imposing administrative sanctions, civil fines, and criminal penalties for violations; and providing for the seizure, testing, and destruction of these substances.
Sponsors: City Council President (Administration)
Indexes: Psychoactive, Substances
Attachments: 1. 15-0584~1st Reader, 2. ECB 15-0584, 3. Health 15-0584, 4. City Solicitor 15-0584, 5. Police 15-0584, 6. 2nd Reader Amendments 15-0584, 7. 15-0584~3rd Reader
EXPLANATION: CAPITALS indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.

* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*

CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL

Introduced by: The Council President
At the request of: The Administration (Health Department)

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ORDINANCE concerning
title
Psychoactive Substances
FOR the purpose of prohibiting the distribution of psychoactive substances; defining certain terms; imposing administrative sanctions, civil fines, and criminal penalties for violations; and providing for the seizure, testing, and destruction of these substances.
body

BY adding
Article - Health
Sections 16-101 through 16-403, to be under the new title,
?Title 16. Psychoactive Substances?
Baltimore City Revised Code
(Edition 2000)

BY adding
Article 1 - Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Sections 40-14(e)(7)(Title 16) and 41-14(6)(Title 16)
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)

Recitals

Psychoactive substances, commonly referred to as synthetic drugs, are being marketed and sold in Baltimore City. These products are designed and marketed to mimic the effects of illegal narcotics. Psychoactive substances can be generally found in two categories: synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones.

Synthetic cannabinoids, also known as ?Spice? or ?K2?, are mixtures of herbs and spices that have been sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. These products are often available for purchase in various retail outlets labeled as ?incense? or ?potpourri?. These products can ...

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