Is K2 good or bad? One Thing's For Sure... It Will Probably Soon Be Illegal

If you're following the K2 debate, then watch my latest story (scroll all the way down.) I think K2 will eventually be illegal in Missouri, but for now, the bills are running their courses in Jeff City.

Representative Ward Franz from West Plains told me last night that a senate committee discussed his house bill. Franz's bill would make K2 a felony, and it would go into effect immediately. He says some people have complained to him of having rapid heart beats and high blood pressure from using K2. He says K2 should have harsher consequences than marijuana, simply because it's more dangerous. In his mind, he says it's definitely not comparing apples to apples.

On the other hand, there are arguments out there that say if K2 is banned, something else will take its place. A lot of K2 supporters say this is also an argument to make marijuana legal.

The truth? Don't ask me. There are compelling arguments for both. I think there's no question that kids shouldn't use it... but that's not the argument. Even the K2 supporters I've talked to believe K2 use should be limited to adults. Do alcohol and tobacco cause more deaths? Actually, yes... but, I just don't see how anyone can use that alone as an argument to keep K2 legal.

On a side note, here's what I think is interesting. I called local hospitals, and they're not tracking it. I've heard stories of people getting sent to the E.R. and doctors having no idea how to diagnose or treat it... but in the end, I think it's new enough that people can't make a great assessment about K2. Are lawmakers jumping the gun? Perhaps. Are users being too careless about what they're putting in their bodies? Maybe. We all know smoking anything is not good for your body...

Again, I think there are believable, credible arguments for both sides. But in reality, I can't see any lawmaker actually advocating for K2. If not for safety concerns, the fallout in the next election would be enough to stop a politician from supporting it. So, despite what anyone thinks, the decision will likely be made for Missourians before the majority of residents even know what K2 is.

I'm not prepared to give my personal opinion, but I do think it's fair, as always, to listen to both sides.