House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

Posted:	March 25, 2015 11:10 AM
From:	Representative Ted Harhai
To:	All House members
Subject:	Synthetic Drug Categorization Act

In a continuing effort to address a growing crisis, I am introducing legislation that addresses two very important problems with existing synthetic drug laws. First, my bill creates a process where the state can immediately add new chemical formulas that create synthetic drugs to the scheduled drug list without a waiting period; and secondly, through a pilot program, my bill creates the foundation for law enforcement to instantly and presumptively identify synthetic drugs in the field. My bill is in honor of 14-year-old Dakota Blaze Dyer, who died from a one-time use of synthetic marijuana substance back in 2012. Although the Pennsylvania legislature recently banned synthetic drugs, criminals often create new chemical formulas that avoid current laws, and law enforcement is unable to instantly and presumptively identify synthetic drugs in the field, which makes enforcement of synthetic drugs extremely difficult. My legislation addressees these two common problems, and I respectfully ask that you join me in honor of victims and their families, such as the family of Dakota Blaze Dyer that have dealt with the tragic consequences of synthetic drugs.
View Attachment

Introduced as HB1052