Military wants to stop spice sales

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Military asked dozens of local businesses to stop selling spice to everyone, especially those in the Armed Forces.

The man-made substance called Spice seems to be the new marijuana.

"The difference I would say is [with] spice you don't need as much to smoke, and it lasts about twice as long," said a Spice smoker who did not want to be identified when WAVY.com interviewed him in May.

The smoker said he got turned onto spice by a friend in the military.

"It doesn't turn up on a drug test or any type of urinalysis," he explained.

The drug is undetectable and unwelcome by the military.

"The danger this substance is for our sailors is no different than the danger it is to everyone else," said Commander Frank Hutchison, Staff Judge Advocate, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.

The Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board sent out 15-20 letters asking local businesses to stop selling spice.

"We would ask them not to discriminate and to not just not sell to Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines -  but don't sell it to anybody," said Hutchison.

In March, the military made sure every servicemember knew Spice was on the zero tolerance policy.

Servicemembers learned that buying spice, possessing spice, or smoking spice could end their careers.

In May, WAVY.com questioned Hampton Pipe and Tobacco Owner Dave Mickle after he sold spice to a sailor in uniform.

"I spent 22 years defending his right, for you to do what you're doing. I can't tell him I can't sell him anything," said Mickle.

Hutchison said there will be consequences if he receives reports of businesses selling spice to servicemembers.

"After notice and a chance for this establishment to respond and a chance to present their side of the story, [we] could vote to place that establishment off limits," said Hutchison.

"It essentially becomes a general order signed by my flag officer or general officer that prohibits servicemembers from entering that establishment," Hutchinson continued.