Free Republic

The Supreme Court ruled today on the dangers of some so-called “legal highs”, setting new sentencing thresholds for possession of the drugs. Judges had to rule on the substances after a drug dealer appealed a two-years suspended sentence for selling herbs mixed with artificial cannabinoids—the active ingredients of cannabis—over the internet. The Bavarian state court in Landshut found that the man knew that he was selling consciousness-altering substances to people inside and outside Germany. His sales were often in amounts significantly larger than the 1.75 grams the state court decided would be “minor” for sentencing purposes after hearing evidence from...

The national marijuana legalization debate is moving into the backyard of a Republican-controlled Congress, now that the District of Columbia has voted to legalize growing, possessing and sharing small amounts of pot. Voters in Oregon and Alaska also approved legalization initiatives, joining Colorado and Washington state, where pot is already legally available. But while states out West enjoy both autonomy and distance, federal lawmakers have the power to quash any District law they don’t like. And with legalization getting a foothold on the East Coast for the first time, the District’s initiative could force Congress to make decisions affecting the...

Dolphins are said to share the human traits of bravery, jealousy and even a sense of humor. But it seems they share some worrying vices as well. Scientists were amazed at footage of the mammals apparently getting “high” with the help of a toxic puffer fish. In an extraordinary scene filmed for a new TV series, the dolphins are shown gently passing the fish between them. Experts believe the creatures are using the toxins, which emerge from the puffer fish as part of its defense mechanism, for their own enjoyment. They nudge the fish with their snouts and as the...

The European Commission has proposed to make it easier to ban “legal highs” and for countries to jail people who ignore the bans. Legal highs are chemicals which replicate the effects of illicit drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy or marijuana. … So far, EU countries have banned just nine substances on the basis of European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) recommendations. One reason for the low number is the long time it takes—around two years—for the EU process to work. But under Tuesday’s proposals, the ECMDDA and the EU’s joint police body, Europol, in the Hague, can...

New psychoactive drugs are appearing on the market at the rate of about one a week as Europeans seek “legal highs,” a job made easier by the large rise in online drug retailers. 57 new substances have already been detected this year, up from 49 in 2011 and 41 in 2010, according to a report published on Thursday (15 November) by the Lisbon-based European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines continue to be the main stimulants, but they are competing with a growing number of emerging synthetic drugs. … Three natural products—kratom, salvia and...