Marketing of hallucinogenic products in the form of odorisers or plant food products

8.9.2009

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4434/09
by Elena Oana Antonescu (PPE) and Rareş-Lucian Niculescu (PPE)
to the Commission

A recent development in Romania is the marketing of room odorisers containing hallucinogenic substances. Under the current rapid prevention system for psychoactive substances, the Romanian authorities are obliged to provide the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) with information on new psychoactive substances that are being illegally marketed. The latest national report on the drug situation, drawn up by the Romanian authorities in line with the EMCDDA's methodology, does not refer to the phenomenon of marketing hallucinogens in the form of room odorisers or plant food.

The investigations carried out by numerous press organs in Romania have revealed that many private firms are marketing hallucinogens disguised as odorisers. Among the products of this nature available in the shops (and also on-line - see: http://www.spice-gold.ro/, http://www.etnoplant.ro/shop/, http://www.spice-diamond.ro/, http://www.fumezlegal.ro/, http://espice.ro/) are: Skunk, Amanita Muscaria, Speed, and Diablo XXX, all presented as blends of plants and exotic botanical substances that are not intended for human consumption. Users quoted in the media have said that people consuming these products have sensations similar to those produced by the consumption of illegal substances (e.g. piperazine). In many cases, the composition of these products is not indicated or is only stated in general terms with no reference to their active component.

What is the Commission's position regarding this disguised trafficking in hallucinogens? What action will it take against the marketing of products like these which represent a potential risk to consumer health?

OJ C 10 E, 14/01/2011