Corner Post Editorial
K2 will get the kibosh

by Joe Pecoraro, posted May 4, 2010

If you have had a conversation with an avid marijuana smoker lately or have paid any attention to state news, you have probably come across the K2 legalization debate. K2 is sold as incense but has risen in popularity due to its similar qualities to marijuana when inhaled. This pseudo-drug has been all the rage for smoking enthusiasts searching for ”legal marijuana.” Soon enough, though, even that might not be true. Both the Missouri House and Senate have passed emergency bills that are awaiting a signature from Governor Nixon to ban K2 from all of Missouri.

Although K2 supporters are trying to keep the incense on store shelves, it looks like their efforts will be to no avail, as a signature from Nixon is inevitable according to leading Missouri politicians.

There are some who point to the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s. When alcohol was banned in the United States, organized crime rose along with the sale of underground booze. They say that taxing and regulating either K2 or marijuana could result in a surge of funds for the state.

Regardless of any possible funding the state would gain from such taxes, you would be lucky to find a Missouri politician who would dare proposing such a bill. Even if you disregard the health issues associated with both substances, the stigma alone is enough for voters to think twice about allowing a “pro-weed” politician back in state congress the following year.

The main problem with this relatively unknown substance is just that, we don’t know much about it. The product has not been on the market long enough for the short- and long-term side effects to be researched. Because the federal government has banned marijuana, it would be contradictory to allow a drug that has the same effects. Smoking this product, according to testimonials, leaves you with a high nearly the same as one that you receive from the Tetrahydrocannabinol, the main chemical in marijuanna.

All of the fuss and protesting over the proposed bill seems to be a waste of time and energy. This bill will pass, and K2 will be banned in the state of Missouri. As long as marijuana has the negative connotation added on, it’ll never stand a chance.

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