Naval midshipmen expelled over drugs

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Seven midshipmen were expelled from the U.S. Naval Academy for using or possessing a banned marijuana-like substance known as "spice," officials said.

A Naval Academy spokesman said the sophomore and junior midshipmen, all male, "have been separated from the Naval Academy for violating the Navy's illicit substance abuse policies," as of last Thursday, The Baltimore Sun reported.

"Spice," also commonly branded K2 and known as a synthetic marijuana product, is considered a banned substance by the Departments of Defense and Navy, academy spokesman Joe Carpenter said.

"Spice" and similar products "consist of plant material that has been coated with research chemicals that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana," the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says.

Officials at the Naval Academy in Annapolis learned about the allegations of "spice" use and possession during the fall semester and consider the investigation to be continuing, Carpenter said.

The names of the expelled midshipmen were not released by the academy, the Sun said.