By CHUCK JENKS
For PotomacLocal.com
Quantico, Va. –– Officials at Quantico are cracking down on the use of a substance that when smoked mimics the affects of marijuana.
Base commanders call the drugs “Spice,” or K2,” which contain synthetic compounds that mirror THC – the psychotropic agent found in pot.
The drugs are made with Salvia divinorum, a naturally occurring plant and was sold in tobacco shops in Virginia until it was banned by the General Assembly in 2008.
At that time, Virginia joined a handful of states that forbid the sale of the plant – which has yet to be banned on a federal level.
A Marine Corps Times headline published Sept. 6 stated that a new line of drug concoctions, like Spice or K2, are legal and should Marines choose to use them “the brass can’t stop it.”
Perhaps these are catchy headlines designed to attract attention and sell papers, but according to base leaders, these headlines are misleading.
For Marines at Quantico, the use of these drugs is illegal, and the brass is indeed mobilized to stop their use.
According to Gunnery Sgt. Eric Rodriguez, base legal chief, the non-judicial punishments and courts-martial for Marines who choose to use Spice at Quantico are coming.
“The base order is pretty clear. If you use Spice, you’re violating a direct order and you will face punitive action,” he said.
Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, “a commanding officer has the authority to prohibit activity that affects good order and discipline, and also activity that affects the welfare, moral and readiness of his Marines.” That’s the legal standard for issuing an order.
Under a recent base order, the actual or attempted possession, use, sale, distribution or manufacture of Spice, K2, Armageddon and other substances is prohibited. If a Marine is caught using, possessing or distributing this new line of drugs, he or she will be punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Chuck Jenks is the Director of the Public Affairs Office at Quantico Marine Corps Base. You can reach him at [email protected].
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