Spice is illegal

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Calissa Fulton
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Judge Advocate
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  I recently arrived at Travis in July of this year. During my initial work center briefing at the base legal office, I was briefed on a place called Empire Smoke Shop. This particular smoke shop is currently off limits to all Air Force Personnel here at Travis. The reason it is off limits: selling a drug known as Spice. Spice or K2 is said to produce a high like that of marijuana. Sold in shops as incense, it is being smoked as a legal alternative to marijuana. However, that is a misconception. Spice is illegal for all Air Force personnel to possess or use and is punishable under Article 92, Universal Code of Military Justice.

Initially, Spice appeared in the late 1990's, but didn't gain popularity until roughly 2008. The drug grew increasingly popular in Europe, causing scientists to conduct research into its composition and possible effects on the body. Researchers were able to determine that Spice contains numerous synthetic chemicals. This means those who smoke it have no way of knowing what they are being exposed to. As a result of these studies, many countries banned Spice.

As of March 1, 2011, Spice was designated as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Some of the negative effects of Spice include anxiety attacks, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, seizures, vertigo and chemical dependency. In 2010 three teenagers in Roswell, Ga. were hospitalized after using Spice. One of the teens had an especially severe reaction to the drug that resulted in swelling of the brain. In August 2010 in Middletown, Ind., a 28-year-old mother of two died after smoking Spice.
Despite the dangers of Spice, the number of Air Force personnel using it has increased. It has definitely been a significant good order and discipline issue for the Air Force. Accordingly, the number of courts-martial for Spice use or possession in 2011 is 73. This is a 40 percent increase from 2010.

As of April 11, 2011, AFI 44-121, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program states that the use and possession of Spice is prohibited and failure to comply is a violation of Article 92, UCMJ. The maximum punishment for this offense is dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for two years.

Bottom line: Spice is illegal for everyone. Given the fact that the drug is made of many different synthetic components, you never know what effect will result from each use. The uncertainty of the outcome of using Spice, along with the maximum punishment for using and possessing it presents two important questions: is it worth risking your career? More importantly, your life?