Pubdate: Sat, 04 Dec 2004
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2004 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Sarah Kahne, The Oklahoman

JIMSONWEED HITS BOOKS AS ILLEGAL DRUG

MUSTANG - About a year after 10 Mustang High School students became
ill after ingesting jimsonweed, a state law has taken effect making it
illegal to use or cultivate that plant or other dangerous substances
for mind-altering purposes.

The law covers a number of natural or synthetic substances that a
person could use to get high or intoxicated.

Mustang schools Superintendent Karl Springer said he approached
lawmakers after police were unable to recommend charges against any of
the students involved in distributing jimsonweed to other students.
"When this incident happened, our police department wasn't able to do
anything because there were no laws on the books regarding
jimsonweed," Springer said.

With the help of Rep. Ray Young, R-Yukon, and Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson,
R-Oklahoma City, Springer said he was able to ask lawmakers to close
the loophole. "We want to have a system that's seamless when it comes
to our schools and the law being in sync," Springer said.

State Bureau of Narcotics spokesman Mark Woodward said law enforcement
will now treat jimsonweed the same as other naturally occurring
substances. The law went into effect Nov. 1.

For instance, poppies occur naturally. However, it is illegal to use
poppies to make opium, which is illegal.

"We won't be going out and eradicating jimsonweed, but we will work
with schools and police departments on specific cases," he said. The
new law will help prosecutors file charges in unusual cases like the
incident at Mustang High School, Woodward said.
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