Bill to strengthen synthetic drug ban passes House committee

A bill to strengthen Indiana's ban on synthetic drugs designed to mimic the effects of marijuana and cocaine could soon head for a full vote in the Indiana House.

The Senate initiative unanimously passed the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code Tuesday.


Senate Bill 234 would add more than 60 chemicals to Indiana's controlled substances list. It would also prevent drug manufacturers from slightly changing ingredients found in man-made recreational drugs.

“Because these dangerous drugs are made in laboratories, manufacturers are altering the chemicals they combine with their products to get people high and still legally sell their drugs, because the chemicals are not technically banned,” said Senator Ron Alting, R-Lafayette. “We must end this cat-and-mouse game by banning chemical molecules similar in structure to illegal compounds. We owe it to Hoosiers to create a system where new compounds can be added to the state’s controlled substances list in emergency situations and prevent further abuse.” 

Representative Milo Smith, R-Columbus, is sponsoring the bill in the House of Representatives. All 100 House members can consider the ban now that it has passed a committee.