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Volume 76, Issue 14 SERVING BREVARD COLLEGE SINCE 1935 & Dec. 10,2010
Feds ban five chemicals used in syntlietic marijuana
By Anna Asendorf
U. Wisconsin via UWIRE
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
issued an emergency ban on five chemicals used
to produce synthetic marijuana, a decision that
will make products like K2 and Spice illegal in
less than thirty days.
For the next 12 months, sale or possession of
these chemicals and the products that contain
them is illegal as more research is conducted on
the effects and dangers of the substances, DEA
spokesperson Barbara Carreno said.
The products will remain legal until December
24, giving retailers an opportunity to decide how
to sell or remove inventory from their stores,
Carreno said.
The DEA’s decision to issue the ban follows an
increase in reported negative effects of synthetic
marijuana, like seizures, that scientists do not
understand, Carreno said.
These differ from the typical effects of
regular marijuana use and are oftentimes more
powerful, leading to increased visits to poison
control centers and hospitals.
In this issue...
Campus News:
Preview: Steep Canyon Rangers 2
Southern Secession Parties 2
News:
student Profile 3
'Wliipoliols' Becoming Popular 3
Sports:
Men's Basketball 4
Women's Basketball 5
Baseball Team In Action 5
Opinion:
These Hills: Skiing In WNC 6
A Farewell to BC 6
Arts & Life
Chef Boy-ar-Dave 7
Odds and Ends:
Your Horoscope 8
Sign of the Times 8
The synthetic chemicals used to make products
like K2 originated from research labs studying
cannabinoids, said John Huffman, a professor
of organic chemistry at Clemson University and
developer of multiple synthetic chemicals.
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that
include THC, the substance in marijuana that
produces a “high” when used, Huffman said.
Since the development of these compounds,
people outside research labs have created them,
using them to make and sell synthetic marijuana
products disguised as incense.
Huffman said the effects of these chemicals on
humans have not been studied and people should
not use them for consumption or recreation.
With little understanding of these substances,
the DEA’s ban allows time for more research
while protecting the public, Carreno said.
Over the course of the ban, the Department
of Health and Human Services will examine
synthetic marijuana’s effects on humans,
including addictiveness and safety, she said.
After one year, they will offer recommendations
to the DEA on whether the chemicals should be
controlled, Carreno said. A decision on whether
By Chantel Azevedo
Staff Writer
We are all waiting for that last day, that last
exam, that last line, that last word, and that last
moment, when the sound ‘ahhh’ comes out of all
our mouths. The holidays, Christmas break, and
for some, a month out of school is on the way.
Dec. 14 is the last day of exams and, for some,
the first day to an amazing holiday break.
All over the Brevard College campus, there are
students that are from the world over: America,
Canada, Brazil, Scotland, New Zealand,
Australia, and many more. Where is everyone
going this holiday season? What is everyone
going to be doing? These are questions do not
only reside in our minds because sometimes we
ourselves do not even know what our plans are,
never mind anybody else’s.
This 2010 hohday break you will find that
there are many things, varieties of things that
students all over our campus are going to be
doing. “I plan on making break as restorative as
possible, with as little mental work as possible,
and with a balance of spending time with my
family and my friends,” said sophomore Teresa
Musick.
to make synthetic marijuana permanently illegal
will then be made.
While the DEA seeks to stop the use of
synthetic marijuana, Gary Storck, a spokesperson
for the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws Madison, said he foresees
makers of products like K2 will create different
substances that circumvent the DEA’s five
chemicals ban.
Storck said synthetic marijuana is a symptom
of marijuana prohibition that would not have
surfaced if marijuana was legal.
He added with little known about chemicals in
synthetic marijuana, regular marijuana remains a
safer choice because of knowledge of its effects
and its longer history of use.
Storck said he disagreed with the DEA’s
decision to prohibit more substances and the
decision may hurt small businesses who sell
synthetic marijuana while also creating more
work for law enforcement.
But, since small amounts of marijuana are
already not a priority for the DEA or local law
enforcement, synthetic marijuana will probably
not become priority either
holiday plans
“This holiday break is going to be great,” said
sophomore Allie Ho vis. “It is going to be a time
of rest but at the same time celebration since my
birthday lands a couple days before Christmas.
Spending time with my family is going to be
my number one priority besides hanging out
with friends.”
For many students, this holiday break is going
to be one of rest and restoration. Some students
will work when going back home to prior jobs
and some will work out. Some will sleep and
some will never sleep. “I plan on making this
holiday break memorable,” said sophomore
Hannah Graham. “Being with my family is
always my number one priority, but spending
time with loved ones and taking some time for
myself, is what is going to be prominent.”
This year around campus, many students have
pleaded guilty to the ‘oh so restful’ upcoming
break. On the other hand, many have stated
otherwise: working or partaking in recreational
activities like skiing and snowboarding are in
the playing cards for them. We’ll see who had
the most interesting break when we all reunite
in 2011. Happy holidays everyone.
Students make