An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Feb. 15, 2011

Air Force officials warn: 'Spice' harmful to health, career

By Air Force Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle Office of the Secretary of the Air Force

WASHINGTON - A recent spate of incidents involving service members abusing the herbal mixture "spice" has prompted uniformed service leaders to stress the ramifications of using the drug and other prohibited substances, officials said here Feb 11.

Marketed and sold as incense, and closely resembling potpourri, spice, also known as K2, skunk, or fake marijuana, is among many "designer drugs" banned under Department of Defense directive 1010-3.4 and Air Force Instruction 44-120.

Air Force leaders said they want to send a clear message about the health and career gambles associated with the drug, as indicated by the service's zero tolerance policy regarding illegal substance use or possession.

Air Force officials recently updated AFI 44-120 and issued an updated guidance memorandum for AFI 44-121 revising the Military Drug Demand Reduction Program and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program, respectively.

The revision prohibits the ingestion of any substance, other than alcohol or tobacco, for the purpose of altering mood or function. The possession of any intoxicating substance, if done with the intent to use in a manner that would alter mood or function, is also prohibited.

The regulation also states that Airmen using spice could be found in violation of Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice face dishonorable discharge, confinement for two years, and total forfeiture of all pay and allowances. Enlisted members also face reduction to the lowest enlisted grade.

 

Air Force medical professionals assert the health risks associated with spice should also spur Airmen to avoid the drug since manufacturing of the substance is not closely controlled and its ingredients can be unknown and dangerous.

Published reports on the Drug Enforcement Agency web site say that spice contains HU-210 -- a synthetic cannabinoid hundreds of times more potent than THC -- or tetrahydrocannibinol, the main psychoactive substance in marijuana. DEA studies also showed spice to contain a high quantity of other synthetic chemicals, indicating a user may not realize what is being introduced into the body.

"The lack of body control and inability to make any logical decisions to include issues of health and safety could cause severe bodily harm or death," said Dr. Aaron Jacobs, Air Force drug testing program manager.

While the long-term effects of spice are currently unknown because of its relative newness, Dr. Jacobs said the drug's impact on the body may be as severe as the known short-term effects.

"Spice can cause disorientation, vomiting, loss of motor control, hallucinations, an out-of-body feeling, rapid-heart rate and seizures," he said. "Some individuals report that the intense feelings are so troubling that they will never do spice again."

The NIDA website also reports that in December 2010, the DEA issued a notice that it intends to ban five synthetic cannabinoids by placing them in Schedule I status under the Controlled Substances Act and expect to issue the final order shortly.

Schedule I status indicates the DEA considers the substance to have high-abuse potential and no known medical benefits; as such, it is illegal to possess or sell products that contain the substance.

 

 

Related Articles
Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, visits the 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Alaska National Guard, on Fort Greely, Alaska, April 28, 2025. Soldiers of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion operate and secure the ground-based midcourse defense system and are an integral piece of the homeland defense mission to protect the U.S. from intercontinental ballistic missiles using ground-based interceptors.
In Alaska, Nordhaus Sees National Guardsmen Defending the Homeland, Enabling Global Power Projection
By Master Sgt. Zach Sheely | May 1, 2025
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – From within Alaska’s vast Interior, Alaska National Guardsmen defend the homeland from long-range missile attacks and enable global power projection.Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, the chief of...

Sgt. Jessica Shields, a water purification specialist with the 935th Aviation Support Battalion, Missouri Army National Guard, checks the chlorine levels of the water meant for cooking and cleaning laundry during TRADEWINDS 25 exercise at Teteron Bay, Trinidad and Tobago, April 27, 2025.
Missouri National Guard Water Purification Team Supports TRADEWINDS 25
By Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane, | May 1, 2025
TETERON BAY, Trinidad – Few resources are more critical than clean water for sustaining troops in the field. From cooking meals to maintaining hygiene, a steady supply of safe water is essential to keeping Soldiers healthy,...

Group photo of Delta Company, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion Soldiers standing in front of the Seattle / King County Clinic.
Washington Guard Soldiers Support Clinic Through Language and Compassion
By Joseph Siemandel, | May 1, 2025
SEATTLE – A group of Soldiers from the Delta Company, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, recently volunteered at a Seattle and King County medical clinic to provide language support for visitors receiving free medical,...