Social consequences of law that prohibit the marketing of the plants, extracts and substances known as”ethnobotanicals”

Abstract

For several years, the plants, extracts and substances known as “ethnobotanicals” were considered legal substances in Romania and could easily be found in specially designed shops or even online. A considerable number of victims, most often teenagers, arrived in emergency units with clear signs of drug intoxication. The aim of the survey is to show the effects on consumers of the governmental ordinance that prohibits the marketing of ethnobotanicals, on consumers’ profile. This paper examines the social consequences of the application of the government's ordinance No. OU 6/2010 from April 2010. The research shows that the new status of ethnobotanicals that became illegal does not determine a lower rate of consumption, but increases the negative consequences like a lower average and the presence of withdrawal symptoms. The survey is taking into consideration pacients arrived in the emergency unit of “Sfantul Ioan” Hospital of Iasi, one of the top cities on ethnobotanical use among teenagers.