[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12008]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

  The following petition or memorial was laid before the Senate and was 
referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

       POM-60. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan memorializing 
     Congress and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency to 
     make it illegal to possess, use, or sell the drugs MDPV and 
     Mephedrone; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                        House Resolution No. 53

       Whereas, MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and mephedrone 
     are the main ingredients of underground drug products being 
     marketed as ``bath salts'' or ``plant food,'' and which are 
     being sold online, at convenience stores, and in smoke shops 
     under names like Tranquility, Zoom, Ivory Wave, Red Dove, and 
     Vanilla Sky. According to numerous reports, the chemicals 
     found in these bath salts and plant foods cause effects 
     similar to those caused by cocaine and methamphetamines, 
     including hallucinations, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts. In 
     one case a user was reported to have resorted to self-
     mutilation after abusing the substance. In several cases, 
     users have died after overdosing or because of violent 
     behavior; and
       Whereas, law enforcement personnel need the authority to 
     get MDPV and mephedrone off the streets and prosecute people 
     who are trying to profit from selling these dangerous drugs. 
     State and local law enforcement officials in dozens of states 
     have encountered MDPV or mephedrone in the last two years. 
     Absent restrictions on their possession, use, or sale, law 
     enforcement can only watch as MDPV and mephedrone abuse 
     becomes more widespread; and
       Whereas, MDPV and mephedrone should be placed in schedule I 
     of the federal controlled substances list. Schedule I is 
     reserved for the most dangerous drugs, such as heroin and 
     LSD, which have no recognized medical use and a high 
     potential for abuse. MDPV and mephedrone meet the statutory 
     requirements for placement into schedule I and belong in this 
     group; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize Congress and the United States Drug Enforcement 
     Agency to make it illegal to possess, use, or sell the drugs 
     MDPV and mephedrone; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, the members of the 
     Michigan congressional delegation, and the administrator of 
     the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.

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