DEA bans Spice Published Jan. 5, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore and Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The sale, purchase and possession of the product commonly referred to as "Spice" in the United States has been declared illegal by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA issued a press release Nov. 10 which states the agency is using "its emergency scheduling authority to temporarily control five chemicals (JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47, 497, and cannabicyclohexanol) used to make fake pot products, which include products otherwise known as 'Spice,' 'K2,' 'Blaze,' and 'Red X Dawn' and in some circles has been referred to as 'military marijuana.' These chemicals are now considered a Schedule 1 substance, which is 'the most restrictive category, which is reserved for unsafe, highly abused substances with no medical usage." Spice and similar substances are herbal incense-type products user's smoke in the same manner as marijuana, which contains traces of a potent psychoactive chemical similar to Tetrahydrocannabinol. General William Fraser, Commander of Air Combat Command, issued a general order April 15 prohibiting the use and possession of Spice and Salvia by service members assigned or attached to ACC. Since General Fraser issued the general order, the Seymour Johnson AFB Office of Special Investigation and 4th Security Forces Squadron's Office of Investigations have conducted 29 investigations into the use, possession and distribution of Spice. Six military members from Seymour Johnson have been discharged for usage of Spice. "Any Airman stationed at or attached to Seymour Johnson is subject to prosecution under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for the use or possession of Salvia or Spice," said Capt. Matthew Lynch, 4th Fighter Wing assistant staff judge advocate. "Specifically, they could be prosecuted for violation of failure to obey a lawful general order. The maximum punishment for this offense is a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, two years confinement and a reduction to E-1." Prior to the DEA ban on the substances, the 4th Fighter Wing commander, Col. Patrick Doherty, had lobbied Governor Bev Perdue, U.S. Senator Kay Hagen and North Carolina military commanders for the illegalization of Spice in the state. "Once again, North Carolina shows us why the state is the most military friendly state in the Nation," said Colonel Doherty. "On behalf of all the men and women of the 4th Fighter Wing and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, I would like to say congratulations and give a words of thanks to Senator Hagan, Governor Perdue, State Representative Efton Sager, Mayor King and all of the other N.C. leaders who heard my concerns last May and immediately started taking actions to ban K2, Spice and other associated hallucinogens. Legislation making Spice illegal is critical to the mission of Seymour Johnson AFB and is equally critical to the continued safety and well being of our Airmen and their families--as well as the safety of the general public in our local communities who's support toward the 4th Fighter Wing is unyielding. One Team, One Fight, and a big victory...just another example of the special relationship North Carolina has with its military family." Security Forces Office of Investigation and AFOSI Joint Drug Enforcement Team aggressively target and investigate all illegal drug use involving military and civilian personnel associated with Seymour Johnson AFB. To anonymously report individuals using Spice, Salvia or any other drug, call 722-DRUG, OSI at 722-1218, or 4th SFS Office of Investigation at 722-2097.