KY3, Inc. Half truth on drugs Springfield, Missouri

The story idea that I want to introduce is why are herbals getting a bad rap when there is no scientific justification for villainizing these substances.  I mean let's look at the big picture, alcohol has been responsible for killing countless with everything from alcohol poisoning to drunk driving and other methods in which alcohol has been the cause.  Why is alcohol not banned?  Recent movements by politicians have been directed towards legalizing medicinal marijuana-that's another point, can you point to me in the news when someone has passed away from a marijuana overdose?  I can answer that question very quickly for you, there has never been a documented case in which someone has died from a marijuana overdose.  Why is that not a justification for marijuana from being legalized?

That brings to us another point, the villainization of K2....In your story below, I see some facts presented, but your story is extremely incomplete and a half truth at best, which is worse than a lie.  I do not see a total blood test result of this person who allegedly suffered some kind of episode as a result. Should something be banned because there is an alleged case against it? Last year, someone died from an overdose in water in the Northern VA area, should water be banned also?  I perceive this report that your News Station has advertised is an attempt to villainize an herb that simply there is no justification for.  I really wish I could present the clear facts, not some half-fact that can be interpreted into something else.  As with everything else, use common sense.  I highly encourage your station to stop advertising such half stories.  I mean, we do not see an allergy test performed on this person, so if he takes a substance that is chemically similar to k2 and he suffers that same type of episode, do we ban that substance also?  Should all humanity suffer because this individual has an allergy to something?  To me, this story is so baseless that it should not have even been aired.  Ok, I took some type of antibiotic and had an allergic reaction, should that antibiotic be banned also?  I think it is the press that are causing these drugs to be banned without justice, yes, you are creating jobs, if I were looking for a job it might be drug enforcement, its looking like it will be a solid field especially with stories like this airing.

I've asked the above questions to KY3 news about a couple of weeks ago, they did not want to even respond.  KY3 news, thanks but not thanks.

Article posted on the following websiter: http://www.ky3.com/news/local/77997492.html

by Linda Russell, KY3 News  

K2 incense provides high for some, scare for others

FAIR PLAY, Mo. -- A new product knocked a teenager from PolkCounty unconscious for five hours but those who sell it say it's mild and safe. K2 is supposed to produce a high similar to marijuana, but the teen we talked to got more than he bargained for.

K2 is something 14-year-old Tyler Hartman heard about from his friends.

"They'd all tried it; it didn't kill them, so I just decided to try it," Tyler said.

He was at a friend's house Tuesday in Fair Play.

"I sat there, and the room spun a little, and that's really all that I remember," said Tyler.

Then his family got the scary phone call. Tyler had vomited, suffered seizures, and even quit breathing.

"The EMTs had dragged him out of this house on a gurney," said James Hartman, Tyler's father.

Tyler spent the night in ICU and remained unconscious for five hours, while his family waited and worried.

"They did blood work, and they done a drug test, and everything came back negative," said James.

Thankfully, he came out of it.

"I was waking up, and was just in a room looking around, and then I seen a bunch of doctors walking around, so I'm like, 'Oh, wow,'" Tyler said. Incense and Peppermints in Springfield also sells the blend of botanicals, extracts and herbs.

"We make in-house candlesl incense is made in house," said Pamela Samson.

K2 is made to be a potpourri or an incense and it can be burned like any other incense in a small burner but some people are choosing to smoke it. Tyler says he took just one hit.

"It depends on how a person wants to use their incense," said Samson.

Samson says she's been carrying K2 for about six weeks, and it's become popular, even recommended.

"A lot of my customers have come in and told me that their doctors have sent them in here for pain -- fibromyalgia, or if they're having chemotherapy treatment, they can come get it for nausea -- and I really feel good about that," said Samson.

Tyler has a different opinion.

"Not to do it. It's not really a very intelligent choice," Tyler said.

Of course, Tyler's parents think the stuff should be illegal. But right now it's not, and the two stores we contacted will continue to carry K2. Springfield Police say GreeneCounty has sent some to the state crime lab to have it analyzed. Police say it does not contain THC, like marijuana, and therefore, does not qualify as criminal.