🏈 The spread of Spice: Colleges, NCAA deal with the problem of synthetic marijuana

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Like countless other college basketball players, Lamar Jack couldn't wait for the 2012 season to begin. The redshirt freshman forward was working out with his Anderson (S.C.) University teammates last September, going through preseason conditioning drills, when something went terribly wrong.

After complaining of cramps and blurred vision, Jack collapsed. He was rushed to the emergency room, where his body temperature was extremely elevated.

Four days later, he died at the age of 19.

After an autopsy, Anderson County coroner Greg Shore told the Anderson In*dependent Mail that Jack's death was the result of "acute drug toxicity (that) led to multiple organ failure."

Toxicology tests revealed that Jack had ingested the chemical JWH-018, which is used to make synthetic marijuana.

"This drug certainly triggered this young athlete's death," Shore said, "and that is tragic."

Synthetic marijuana, which was sold legally over the counter in Alabama until last year under such names as K2 and Spice, has become the latest front in the war on drugs waged by athletics organizations such as the NCAA and federal agencies such as the DEA.

Read More Here...

 

[Duder]

The irony of this being posted the same day Dyer gets kicked off yet another team...

 

[TerryP]

The irony of this being posted the same day Dyer gets kicked off yet another team...

Dem-Gazette out of Arkansas—from what I'm told—says it's a gun issue.

 

[Duder]

Well, there's some history there as well so that doesn't shock me.

 

[TerryP]

He learned from articles like this and decided to take the safer approach with what he smoked.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Jonesboro Sun has more details on Mike Dyer dismissal. Likely involved spring traffic stop: <a href="http://t.co/gEarcNYd" title="http://bit.ly/Or70lw">bit.ly/Or70lw</a></p>&mdash; Chris Bahn (@cbahn) <a href="https://twitter.com/cbahn/status/229910988894371840" data-datetime="2012-07-30T12:07:05+00:00">July 30, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Running back Michael Dyer is finished at Arkansas State before he ever really got started.
Dyer's dismissal — before he ever played a down — was announced Sunday through a statement from Coach Gus Malzahn.


“I am truly disappointed that it didn’t work out here at ASU for Mike,”Malzahn said. “I wish Mike nothing but the best in the future.”


According to a Jonesboro Sun report written by Matt Roberson (subscription required), the dismissal is likely related to a March traffic stop in White County. Dyer was pulled over by an Arkansas State Trooper who found marijuana and a gun in his vehicle. Video of the traffic stop was obtained by The Sun through a Freedom of Information Act filed by the Searcy Daily Citizen.


It is unclear who was in possession of the gun and marijuana, per the newspaper's report. Trooper Royce Denney issued Dyer a speeding ticket and no charges were filed stemming from the discovery of the handgun or drugs. Per The Sun Denney is currently under investigation for his handling of the stop.


The Sun has details of conversations between Dyer and Denney caught on the officer's in-car video camera. (It's worth the $.99 one-day subscription fee.)


"You’ve got a career ahead of you, but you’re being a total dumbass right now,” Denney apparently says to Dyer during the stop.

Dyer was supposed to be getting a second chance with the Red Wolves. He was suspended indefinitely at Auburn at the end of the regular season. Dyer testified in April during an armed robbery trial that his gun was used in the crime and he admitted to routinely smoking marijuana and synthetic marijuana.


Malzahn, Dyer's offensive coordinator at Auburn, was willing to give the former Little Rock Christian star another opportunity. Dyer helped generate interest in the program with media and recruits and the player's talent was obvious from his two, 1,000-yard seasons and his BCS championship game offensive MVP award when Auburn won the 2010 title.


Less than two weeks ago — and four months after the traffic stop — Dyer and Malzahn held a joint press conference to discuss the running back's intention to stay at ASU beyond 2012. Dyer would have been eligible for the NFL Draft at the end of the season even though he is ineligible to play for the Red Wolves.


The NCAA denied a waiver seeking immediate playing time for Dyer. He said on July 20 that he wanted to remain at ASU and serve as a mentor for the team's other players.


"I will just try to do whatever I can and just become a better person," Dyer said at the press conference.

 

[planomateo]

that about sums it up.

"You’ve got a career ahead of you, but you’re being a total dumbass right now,” Denney apparently says to Dyer during the stop.

 

[Duder]

He has now officially thrown millions away. Someone would've taken a chance on him. What a damn waste.

Remember when we were excited that we got him and not Lattimore or Seastrunk? Well, both of them still play football...