The Marine Corps, as well as the rest of the military, set itself apart from the rest of the world by implementing rules and regulations on drug use to keep discipline and protect its service members.
Marine Corps Forces Pacific recently banned two drugs, a synthetic drug known as Spice and the hallucinogenic herb salvia divinorum, by implementing MarForPac Order 5355.2 on Dec. 1. The order states that Marines are prohibited from “actual or attempted possession, use, sale, distribution or manufacture of ‘Spice,’ salvia, or any derivative, analogue or variant of either substance."
“The implications are serious,” said Capt. Evan S. Day, a trial counsel with the Joint Law Center aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where the use of Spice is prohibited under Station Order 5300.1. “Marines can face consequences ranging from non-judicial punishment and administrative separation to court martial.”
Although the Secretary of the Navy instruction 5300.28D states that Marines and sailors are prohibited from abusing any substance in order to get “high,” the new Station Order and MarForPac orders explicitly clarify that any possession of Spice or Salvia is prohibited and punishable under the UCMJ, commented Day.
The synthetic substance known as Spice, is labeled as incense, but has similar affects to marijuana. Marines who suspect another Marine of possessing Spice should pass it up the chain of command and report it to the Provost Marshalls Office so they can conduct their investigation, added Day.
“Marines should not tolerate drug abuse by other Marines in any form,” said Day. “It makes no difference if someone outside the gate claims that a particular drug is legal.”
The substance doesn’t only stay in the individual’s system hours after initial use, the effect can carry over for days. This can hurt the safety of Marines and sailors working alongside them.
“It can stay in your system and affect your reflexes and judgment for several days after use, even if you don’t feel the effects any more,” said Day. “That can create a dangerous situation whether you’re working on a helicopter, handling weapons, ordnance, or even just driving to work. It not only has the potential to harm the individual using it, but it threatens the safety of other Marines.”
Marines and sailors aboard the air station have already been disciplined under the UCMJ for possessing, using or abusing spice. It is illegal for Marines and sailors and if caught implications will be serious.
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