Spice – a high not worth the price Published July 6, 2011 By Zach Sproul 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- "Spice" use, particularly by military members, is not and will not be tolerated by the Air Force. Vance's Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, Maj. Jeffrey Biller said, "Abuse of intoxicating substances threatens our military readiness and diminishes the ability to conduct our mission." Spice, also known as "K2" or "legal marijuana," is sold as incense and typically consists of chemicals sprayed on dried leaves and then smoked. Spice has a similar effect as marijuana, but is said to be many times stronger. There have been two reported spice-use incidents close to home in the last year. In October 2010, 13 Airmen from Altus AFB, Okla., were offered non-judicial punishment for suspected use of spice. Those 13 Airmen all accepted non-judicial punishment. In April 2011, another incident involving spice took place at Tinker AFB, Okla. that resulted in the identification of 30 Airmen using the illegal substance. On June 8, 2010, the U.S. Air Force issued a memorandum that banned the possession and use of spice, or any other mood-altering substance except alcohol or tobacco, among its service members. The Air Force published an Air Force guidance memorandum revising Air Force Instruction 44-121, "Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program." Air Force officials issued guidance banning the knowing use and possession of any substance, other than alcohol or tobacco, which is ingested to alter mood or function. Spice, an herbal smoking mixture with synthetic cannabis, first appeared on the European market in 2004. By 2009 it had crossed the Atlantic Ocean and infiltrated the American market. In March 2011, it was classified as a Schedule 1 substance on the Drug Enforcement Administration's Controlled Substance List. Although some versions of spice are marketed as an herbal incense and not for human consumption, users found it offered a high similar to that of marijuana. Yet, the side effects -- anxiety, nausea, paranoia, discomfort, confusion and an overall longing for the experience to end -- proved more severe than marijuana. Users also complained of "couch-lock," a feeling of paralysis. Officials have said the reason behind the intensified effects can be blamed on the purity of the synthetic chemicals. It can also be attributed to fact that not all batches are the same. There is no universal recipe and not all of spice's ingredients are known. The revised language makes punitive the prohibition in the current Air Force Instruction regarding the ingestion of any substance, other than alcohol or tobacco, for the purpose of altering mood or function. The possession of any intoxicating substance, if done with the intent to use in a manner that would alter mood or function, is also prohibited. "Airmen found to be in possession of, or using, spice can face a letter of reprimand, a court martial, demotion or even discharge," said Biller. Enlisted members also face reduction to the lowest enlisted grade. The Air Force is now screening urine tests for synthetic cannabinoids used in spice and other drugs that mimic the effect of marijuana. The testing, called "a new weapon in the fight against spice" by the service, began Feb. 22. As of Nov. 1, 2010, spice became illegal in the state of Oklahoma.