Utica Passes Ordinance Banning K2 Sale, Possession

The Utica City Council voted unamiously to approve a resolution Tuesday that bans the sale, possession and trafficking of K2, also known as Spice in the city.

Police Chief Dave Faber said the ordinance is modeled off of Shelby Township ordinance banning K2, which was approved .

"We did a little tweaking. I believe this will satisfy the needs (of the City) so we can take the aggressive actions that we have to," said Faber.

The ordinance re-instates that Utica will support prohibiting businesses from selling K2. Macomb County officials said that it is now a misdemeanor to sell K2 in Macomb County, and under the order, businesses that sell K2, also known as Spice, or any other synthetic drug, could face a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to six months in jail or a $200 fine. All Spice was ordered to be immediately removed from store shelves.

In Utica, if a business is found selling K2 or Spice, they can face a civil infraction and fines up to $500.

Faber told the Council that officers have done a sweep through all businesses in Utica, and have found that all businesses are following Macomb's order, and have stopped selling Spice.

Once a state law banning K2, Spice and all forms of synthetic marijuana is enacted, Utica's ordinance will no longer be in effect. A series of bills outlawing synthetic marijuana have passed through the state Senate Tuesday and are awaiting final approval from Gov. Rick Snyder. 

Spice and K2, is a mix of dried herbs and spices sprayed with chemicals. It has been blamed for health problems and violent behavior, especially among young people.

Faber told the council that an officer had dealt with a teen Monday who was had smoked K2 and was sent to the hospital because he was "no longer aware of his actions."

"Its reached epidemic proportions as far as sale and use," added Mayor Jacqueline Noonan.

On Tuesday, a team of Brighton addiction specialists joined Patch.com for a live web chat to answer viewers' questions about K. To view trascripts, .