STATEHOUSE (March 13, 2013) — Senate Bill 536, legislation authored by State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis) to improve Indiana’s synthetic drug ban, was approved 11-0 in the House of Representatives Committee on Courts and Criminal Code today.

If signed into law this year, SB 536 would make it illegal to possess or deal “look-alike” synthetic drugs, as current state law only prohibits substances identified as synthetic drugs based on their chemical makeup. Merritt’s legislation would also alter Indiana’s current definition of “intoxication” to include impairment by any substance, excluding food and food ingredients, tobacco or a dietary supplement.

“My goal with these new provisions is to improve Indiana’s current synthetic drug ban in two ways,” Merritt said. “First, let’s make it more difficult for retailers to legally sell these dangerous substances to Hoosiers. Second, let’s empower our police officers and prosecutors with the tools needed to keep individuals impaired by these drugs off our roads.”

Merritt said this legislation will still allow the State Board of Pharmacy to add new compounds to Indiana’s illegal synthetic drugs list.

Indiana State Police support SB 536. It now moves to the full House for further consideration.

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