ST. PAUL – The Select Committee on Controlled Substances and Synthetic Drugs held a meeting yesterday in the State Office Building in St. Paul. State Representative John Ward (DFL – Baxter) is a member of the committee, which is studying the issue of growing synthetic drug problem. Rep. Ward and the other committee members were appointed by Speaker Paul Thissen.
Synthetic drugs are chemically laced substances similar to marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine that are sold over the counter at some convenience stores, gas stations and tobacco shops. The Drug Enforcement Agency has cited synthetic drugs as an “imminent threat to public safety.”
“We had a very informative meeting and I look forward to future meetings in our area and throughout the state,” Rep. Ward said. “We know that these synthetic drugs are a serious threat to public health and safety, and are causing terrible problems in many of our communities. This hearing was another step forward in finding solutions to help Minnesota tackle this issue.”
The committee will examine how other states are dealing with the problem. One state that has the committee’s attention is Indiana, which this year banned “look-alikes,” which are drugs substantially similar to substances earlier banned by the legislature.
Also serving on the committee is Rep. Kathy Lohmer (R – Stillwater), Rep. Jim Newberger (R – Becker), Rep. Dan Schoen (DFL – St. Paul Park), and committee chair Erik Simonson (DFL – Duluth).
Testifying during the hearing was Cody Wiberg of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, Violet Stephens, a forensic scientist at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Laboratory, Brian Marquart of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Karin Sonneman, Winona County Attorney, Christina Davenport, Assistant Winona County Attorney, and Jon Holets, Assistant St. Louis County Attorney.
The Select Committee on Controlled Substances and Synthetic Drugs will hold a committee meeting in Brainerd on August 22. More details and information will be announced soon.
Reps. Ward encourages constituents to contact him with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Ward can be reached by phone at 651-296-4333 or by email at rep.john.ward@house.mn.