Senate passes Griffo’s bill to ban chemicals in synthetic drug “N-Bomb”

ALBANY – The State Senate on Wednesday passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Joseph Griffo that would ban key ingredients contained in certain synthetic drugs that mimic the hallucinogenic effects of LSD.

The synthetic drug known as “N-Bomb” or “Smiles” has already been linked to a number of fatalities nationwide, particularly in Arizona last month. But by banning four of the chemicals used to manufacture these potentially harmful drugs, Griffo believes this legislation (S738) will help prevent the scourge of N-Bomb from ever gaining a foothold in New York State.

This is the same strategy that helped nearly obliterate the frenzy of psychotic episodes and life emergencies that reached epidemic proportions in the Mohawk Valley and beyond in 2012 when the synthetic drug known as “bath salts” was allowed to reach widespread use.

“We experienced firsthand what can happen when synthetic drugs are able to wreak havoc in our communities, and we know now the aggressive action that was necessary to rein in that widespread crisis,” said Griffo, R-Rome. “Banning the substances contained in N-Bomb will help ensure that we remain proactive in the face of unscrupulous manufacturers who are always looking for new methods to develop alternatives to already-illegal drugs.”

N-Bomb is meant to mimic the effects of LSD as a hallucinogen, but in many cases people have overdosed as a result of N-Bomb. But because the potency of these drugs vary as they are chemically made, it is difficult to predict how a particular person may react to the substances. Some effects include seizures, psychotic episodes, loss of consciousness and bleeding from the brain.

The drug is produced either as a liquid or powder, or as tabs on blotter paper.

Griffo’s bill has now been referred to the Assembly, where a companion bill has been sponsored by Assemblyman Edward Braunstein.