Bill adds more Spice to Utah's controlled substance definition

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate gave preliminary approval Thursday to a bill that adds more chemical ingredients of Spice to the state's definition of controlled substances.

The bill's Senate sponsor, Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, said, “This tightens up the Spice bill one more time and I predict we'll be back next year adding some more.”

It passed on second reading in the Senate this morning.

HB245, sponsored by Rep. Gage Froerer, R-Huntsville, moved to a final reading in the House.

The Senate will also consider a bill to change the regulation of "tobacco" shops that sell other "specialty" items.

HB95, sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, sets up a specialty license for “retail tobacco specialty businesses,” a designation requested by cities so they better regulate these shops through zoning. The bill includes criminal background checks for owners.