The synthetic drug K2 mimics the effects of marijuana, and has been banned in Iowa before. But it is still available because manufacturers can simply change the formula slightly, and the new drug isn’t banned by the bill. After three students in a Des Moines High School were hospitalized, legislatures have acted on the issue. A bill that provides broader restrictions on synthetic drugs has passed a House committee during funnel week, and is set to be debated on the House floor. Funnel week is a time when lawmakers must pass any bill they hope to debate on the full House or Senate floor through committee, or the bill stands little chance of getting passed. Our local Representative, Jarad Klein, has been working with the bill to ban synthetic drugs for some time. He was a part of the bill that originally banned K2. He says that this bill passed committee, and although it passed along party lines, he thinks there is support on both sides of the aisle. KCII will continue to follow this bill as it gets debated on the House floor.