No drug charges filed in high-speed chase involving synthetic marijuana

North Carolina lawmakers recently passed a ban on the sale of synthetic marijuana and certain bath salts containing the ingredient MDPV, adding them to the state’s controlled substance list. The legislation has yet to be signed into law by Governor Bev Perdue, so no one has yet to receive drug charges in North Carolina as a result of synthetic marijuana use.

In a related story, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) technicians were responding to a call regarding a combative patient Wednesday evening when the subject of the call drove by their emergency vehicle while en route. EMS responders claim the Salisbury, North Carolina man narrowly missed hitting them on their way to the scene. It is unclear whether the potential accident was a result of the suspect’s or the EMS vehicle’s speed or reckless driving.

Deputies later found the vehicle in question and proceeded with a high-speed chase in excess of 120 miles per hour through Rowan County. The chase ignited by police eventually ended with the suspect crashing his vehicle off the road. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Reporting by The Salisbury Post indicates the North Carolina man admitted to police that he had smoked a form of synthetic marijuana called “Mr. Nice Guy Herbal Smoke Blend” prior to the high-speed chase. He was given a field sobriety test at the scene of the crash after making several radical statements to police.

Police found synthetic marijuana and related drug paraphernalia upon a search of the North Carolina man’s home. The man is being held on a $2,500 secured bond, having been charged with driving while impaired, resisting an officer and felony speeding to elude arrest. The man did not receive drug charges, as the ban on synthetic marijuana has yet to be signed by Governor Perdue.

It will be interesting to watch how this case plays out based on the fact that the incident occurred before synthetic marijuana has been officially added to the controlled substances list.

Source: KPLR “Speeder Tells Deputy Dr. Phil Warned Him of Alien Invasion” 3/17/11