Dr. Oz and NY Legislator Promote Bill to Ban Online Sales of Psychedelic Drugs

TV’s Dr. Mehmet Oz will join New York State Senator Jeffrey Klein to introduce a bill to ban psychedelic drugs that are legally sold online.

The drugs are chemically formulated to imitate the effects of drugs including Ecstasy and ketamine. They are marketed online as “research chemicals” or plant food, according to the New York Daily News. The drugs are sold under names including “Pink Panther” and “Benzo Fury.” They are not regulated as controlled substances, and can cost as little as $8, the article notes.

The bill will be submitted to the New York State Legislature on Tuesday. Klein said he became aware of the problem of online psychedelic drug sales after watching an episode of the “Dr. Oz Show” that focused on the chemicals.

“Kids will bring a packet of this to a party, other kids think it’s legal and safe, and then you die. You don’t get a lot of warning with these drugs,” Dr. Oz told the newspaper. “I think it’s the same kind of problem as synthetic marijuana. You need a two-prong approach. Parents and kids have to know it’s a danger and law enforcement has to be free to go after shops and sellers.”