Cuomo plans real action against synthetic drugs

ALBANY — Saying that makers of dangerous synthetic drugs continue to stay ahead of the law, Gov. Cuomo on Thursday said he will seek legislation to crack down further on manufacturers of synthetic pot and fentanyl.

Cuomo said he will propose a bill to add 35 types of synthetic marijuana, known as K2, to the state controlled-substances list, subjecting those who make them to criminal drug penalties.

The 35 types are already illegal under federal law. Cuomo’s legislation will give the state health commissioner the power to add to the list any new drugs that have been added to the federal list of controlled substances.

The governor said he will push a separate bill to add 11 types of fentanyl to the state controlled-substance list.

While overdose deaths in the state involving opioids increased nearly 35% between 2015 and 2016, the number is significantly higher for fentanyl-related deaths.

The Cuomo administration says fentanyl-related deaths increased 160% between 2015 and 2016, including more than 310% in New York City. Fentanyl analogs have been increasingly found in heroin and cocaine sold in the state, the administration says.

The state has added compounds to the list of illegal substances in the past, only to see the makers of the synthetic drugs stay ahead of the law by slightly changing formulas when one compound is made illegal.