SENATE, No. 1772
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
INTRODUCED JANUARY 14, 1997
By Senators KYRILLOS, SINAGRA, Inverso, Matheussen, Kosco and Palaia
An Act concerning ketamine hydrochloride and amending P.L.1970, c.226.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 6 of P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-6) is amended to read as follows:
6. a. Tests. The commissioner shall place a substance in Schedule II if he finds that the substance: (1) has high potential abuse; (2) has currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, or currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions; and (3) abuse may lead to severe psychic or physical dependence.
b. The controlled dangerous substances listed in this section are included in Schedule II, subject to any revision and republishing by the commissioner pursuant to section 3d, and except to the extent provided in any other schedule.
c. Any of the following substances except those narcotic drugs listed in other schedules whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of vegetable origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by combination of extraction and chemical synthesis:
(1) Opium and opiate, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of opium or opiate.
(2) Any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of the substances referred to in clause 1, except that these substances shall not include the isoquinaline alkaloids of opium.
(3) Opium poppy and poppy straw.
(4) Coca leaves and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of coca leaves, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of these substances, except that the substances shall not include decocainized coca leaves or extractions which do not contain cocaine or ecogine.
(5) Ketamine hydrochloride.
d. Any of the following opiates, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters and ethers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible within the specific chemical designation:
(1) Alphaprodine
(2) Anileridine
(3) Bezitramide
(4) Dihydrocodeine
(5) Diphenoxylate
(6) Fentanyl
(7) Isomethadone
(8) Levomethorphan
(9) Levorphanol
(10) Metazocine
(11) Methadone
(12) Methadone--Intermediate, 4-cyano-2-dimethylamino-4, 4-diphenyl butane
(13) Moramide--Intermediate, 2-methyl-3-morpholino-1, 1-diphenyl-propane-carboxylic acid
(14) Pethidine
(15) Pethidine--Intermediate--A, 4-cyano-1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine
(16) Pethidine--Intermediate--B, ethyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-
carboxylate
(17) Pethidine--Intermediate--C, 1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-
carboxylic acid
(18) Phenazocine
(19) Piminodine
(20) Racemethorphan
(21) Racemorphan.
(cf: P.L.1970, c.226, s.6)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill amends the "New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Act," P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.) to designate ketamine hydrochloride, also known as ketamine, as a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance.
Ketamine is a rapidly acting general anesthetic occurring as a white, crystalline powder, which is given intravenously or intramuscularly and may produce vivid and sometimes unpleasant dreams. Although this drug has an accepted use in veterinary medicine, it has been increasingly used by youths in this and other states as a street drug called "Special K," which leaves the user in a heavily sedated condition and has been documented to result in instances of coma and even death. Raids of popular dance clubs in New York and New Jersey have resulted in charges of club employees distributing the drug. The high produced by ketamine may include hallucinations, delirium and disorientation, and high doses may cause respiratory distress, vomiting, convulsions and an inability to move. The drug may also cause elevated blood pressure and pulse rate. Users report a high that is both dreamlike and energizing.
Ketamine is chemically similar to PCP.In its injectable form, it is sold under the brand names of Ketajet and Ketacet. Illegal users may either drink the drug in liquid form, mixing it with bottled water or other liquids, or, more commonly, may convert it into powder, which can be either snorted or sprinkled on marijuana cigarettes and smoked. When packaged in its powder form, ketamine appears similar to cocaine, heroine or crystal methamphetamine. Veterinarians can buy a vial of ketamine for about $7; however, a single dose of powder or liquid costs the abuser from $25 to $50.
Currently, the maximum penalty for possession of this drug is a disorderly persons offense (punishable by up to six months imprisonment or a fine of up to $1,000, or both), because ketamine is not classified as a controlled dangerous substance. This bill is intended to provide the law enforcement community with a more potent means of combating this growing problem. It should be noted that federal legislation has been introduced by Senator Biden (D-Delaware) to classify ketamine as a Schedule II controlled substance.
Designates ketamine hydrochloride as a controlled dangerous substance.