House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	April 9, 2013 11:47 AM
From:	Representative Jerry Stern
To:	All House members
Subject:	Legislation to amend Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act

The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act has been amended numerous times to keep up with the availability of new illicit drugs that constantly enter the market. It seems that no sooner is a compound outlawed that new compounds appear. This problem is particularly true in the area of prohibited “bath salts” and synthetic marijuana. Additionally, the current language on the Controlled Substance act with regard to bath salts and synthetic marijuana has resulted in debate among chemists about what compounds found on the street are and are not included in the list of Schedule I banned substances. To remedy these issues, I and house staff have worked with the Pennsylvania State Police laboratory and other experts. PSP has recommended changes which clarify the list of prohibited substances while incorporating language from the Federal Controlled Substance Act that will better address the law’s ability to keep up with the small permutations in chemical formulas that home grown chemists readily produce to beat the system. This has also been vetted with the Philadelphia Police Department laboratory who are in agreement with the changes. In the very near future, I plan to introduce a bill which will incorporate those recommendations and would invite you to become a co-sponsor of this important legislation.

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