Bill closing loophole in state’s synthetic drug ban moves forward

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A bill aimed at closing a loophole in Indiana’s synthetic drug ban has passed its first hurdle at the Statehouse Wednesday.

The measure adds a long list of new substances to the existing ban, including those with street names like NBOMe and Molly.

The additions come after Indiana’s Court of Appeals ruled the current law is too vague for the average citizen to understand. The panel did uphold some of the chemicals as legal. But an I-Team 8 investigation found drug makers change their compounds ever so slightly in order to skirt the law. Senator Jim Merritt says he wants tougher penalties for those caught using those loopholes.

“These drug possession, consumption (crimes) have to be felonies and they’re not now,” explained Merritt.

Attorney General Greg Zoeller has appealed to the State Supreme Court. They’re expected to take up the case this Spring.