Spice Product
Legal Status
U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution : All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY | |
Spice | |
REGULATED | Unknown |
STATUS | Not Approved For Human Consumption |
SCHEDULE | Unknown |
Although none of the listed ingredients of Spice are controlled in the United States, the smoking blend contains psychoactive chemicals which could be scheduled or regulated. An analysis published on Dec 15, 2008 indicated the Spice product contains JWH-018, a synthetic chemical with cannabinoid-like effects, but with a substantially different chemical structure than natural cannabinoids. The relevant section in the United States Controlled Substances Act is 1308.11.d.30 ('Tetrahydrocannabinols'), though it does not appear to apply to JWH-018.
Some (or all) Spice products might contain HU-210, which is a Schedule I controlled substance under the rule covering Tetrahydrocannabinols. U.S. Customs has reported finding HU-210 in Spice products, but other labs have reported that HU-210 is not present in Spice products.
Some (or all) Spice products might contain HU-210, which is a Schedule I controlled substance under the rule covering Tetrahydrocannabinols. U.S. Customs has reported finding HU-210 in Spice products, but other labs have reported that HU-210 is not present in Spice products.
U.S. MILITARY RULES #
U.S. Army #
According to one crew member, the U.S. Army has instituted a policy banning spice. At least one person at Fort Bragg, NC has was caught with a positive urinalysis. A visitor writes that Spice has not shown up in urinalyses conducted at Fort Benning by the Army as of June 2009. (unconfirmed) (thanks p,r) (last updated June 25, 2009)
U.S. Air Force #
Spice is prohibited at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas (see Stars and Stripes).
U.S. Marines #
Effective Sept 10 2008, Spice is prohibited at US Marine Bases in Japan by Marine Corps Bases Japan Order 5355.1 (see article).
U. S. Navy #
According to one person, Spice products are considered completely prohibited in the U.S. Navy and that at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida a number of airpeople have been discharged for violating the rule against using Spice. (unconfirmed) (thanks t) (last updated Oct 1 2009)
U.S. STATE LAW #
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other U.S. state, please let us know.
INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Australia #
Cannabinoids are listed as a Border Controlled Drug in Australia under the Federal Criminal Code Act. Cannabinoids are also listed as a prohibited import. See health.gov.au. (Thanks s)(Last Updated Feb 17, 2009)
Austria #
On Dec 18, 2008, Austria imposed an immediate, temporary ban on the sale of Spice. Presumably as a result of Frankfurt's reported analysis. See News.yahoo.com. (Thanks A) (Last Updated Dec 18 2008)
Channel Islands #
On the island of Jersey, Spice is classified as a medicinal product, making it a criminal offense to import, sell, or market it. (see article). It does not appear to be illegal to possess it, however.
France #
In response to analyses of Spice samples conducted in France, Germany and the U.S., France adds JWH-018, CP 47,497, CP 47,497-C6, CP 47,497-C8, CP 47,497-C9 and HU-210 to its Annexe IV list of controlled substances in a decree published February 27 2009. [AFSSAPS]
Germany (Deutschland) #
Germany instituted a preliminary ban of the manufacture, trade, and possession of Spice products containing JWH-018 or any of 8 variants of CP 47,497, starting January 22, 2009. A permanent ban is expected to be passed later in 2009. See Tagesshau.de. See BfArM 21.01.2009 and Bundesgesetzblatt 21 Jan 2009. (Thanks RH,JL) (Last Updated Jan 22, 2009)
New Zealand #
A vendor reports to us that there are no import restrictions on Spice products into New Zealand and New Zealand customs approved importation as of February 17, 2009. (Thanks SM) (Last Updated Feb 17, 2009)
Russia #
In April 2009, Spice and related products were banned along with Salvia divinorum, Argyreia nervosa, Nymphae caerulea and others. See http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/crimes/14-04-2009/107400-Light_drugs-0. (last updated April 15 2009)
South Korea #
It has been reported that South Korea added JWH-018 and HU-210 to their list of controlled substances as of July 1, 2009. (thanks tz) (unverified) (last updated July 7 2009)
Switzerland #
According to a Yahoo news story, Switzerland has reportedly banned the "Spice" product. Erowid has not found any documentation of this and an article from a Swiss online source from Dec 19, 2008 states that Spice is legal. If you have additional info about this, please let us know! See News.yahoo.com. (Thanks A) (Last updated Dec 18 2008)
United Kingdom (U.K., Britain) #
In September 2008, Spice was prohibited at the Royal Air Force Bases RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell (see article). In August 2009, the U.K. is moving towards banning Spice products. Britain Moving to Ban Spice : Aug 2009. (thanks K) (last updated aug 15 2009)
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.
CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid legal information is a summary of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, websites, and other resources. We are not lawyers and can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but laws are complex and constantly changing. Laws may also vary from one jurisdiction to another (county, state, country, etc)...this list is not comprehensive.