NAHITA representatives were shocked at the volume of lies and misinformation disseminated by the DEA and their federal law enforcement partners today. NAHITA fielded several calls from outraged consumers on the amount of resources expended on the latest failed effort on the supposed “War on Drugs”.

Once again, we hear from a collaborated group of government organizations that exist only because of unconstitutional prohibition measures, who have gathered to spread fear amongst the American people. During this press conference, the DEA and their bureaucratic associates displayed their enthusiasm to “strike down” and “attack” American tax-paying store owners and consumers, as they create a new class of criminals where none exists before.

During the press conference, greed was purported to be the driver of “this public safety issue”, when in fact, it is simple market demand. Americans want these products, which are completely safe when used within their intended purposes. American consumers know that using any product outside its intended purpose is risky. But as a free society, we have the right to incur personal risk in our lives, whether that means ingesting alcohol, tobacco, or investing in business. It is not the government’s constitutional role to be in the risk-management industry.

The problems with prohibition have been clearly illustrated during the past 80 years of our nation’s history. So long as there is a demand, there will always be a supply. Nothing in the universe can stop that, it’s a simple supply and demand issue. Prohibition fails because it tries to cut off a supply, instead of educating against the demand. Everyone knows that when you artificially cut off a supply, it creates an illicit, unstable and violent black market. No one knows that more than law enforcement officials, and that’s why they have created a new class of criminals - more citizens to lock up means more government expansion and control. It has nothing to do with public safety. Americans are smart enough to manage our own risk and keep ourselves safe from our own decisions. We’ve been doing it for over 225 years.

Regarding claims of “Dangers” to consumers – The fact is that legislators in different states have found it inexpedient to further legislation against herbal incense products, as synthetic cannabinoids are no more dangerous than other items that are already legal, including tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, glue, paint, etc. Synthetic cannabinoids like the ones found in today’s market have been in use in FDA cleared prescription products like Marinol in the United States for over 35 years. To date, there is no clinical or scientific evidence illustrating the supposed “Dangers” involved with Synthetic Cannabinoids despite several inaccurate media reports.

The effectiveness of misinformation purveyed by the irresponsible media has recently been illustrated when bath salts received national attention in May following a brutal attack in Miami. National media claimed that a man allegedly under the influence of bath salts attacked another man and chewed the man’s face. However, toxicology tests later determined the attacker had only marijuana in his system at the time. Nonetheless, NAHITA representatives were extremely disappointed that there was no clear delineation during this press conference and other media between products containing synthetic cannabinoids and what has become known as “Bath Salts”. It’s clear, even to the mildly educated that these two products that have no relation to one another.

It’s time for the American people stood up to stop the obliteration of their rights through failed and unconstitutional prohibition measures. When we get the government out of the risk-management industry, we will no longer be sold fear and misinformation. We urge all Americans concerned with this issue to celebrate their freedoms responsibly and tell their legislative representatives to stop operating outside the scope of their duties for special interests.

NAHITA also calls for the media to adhere to journalistic integrity and get the FACTS before contributing to this witch-hunt against small business owners and consumers participating in free market demanded products.