New Jersey Bans Sale Of Synthetic Marijuana
By David Madden
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- New Jersey has imposed a virtual ban on synthetic marijuana, effective immediately.
It goes by "K-2" or "Spice" or several other names on the street, and its effects can be deadly.
"These substances that mimic the high you get from marijuana are incredibly dangerous," notes NJ attorney general Jeffrey Chisea. "They can cause seizures and heart attacks. There are all kinds of other health care problems. It also causes psychotic episodes and symptoms that mimic the symptoms you'd have if you were a schizophrenic."
Manufacturers have tweaked a chemical or two to stay ahead of bans in the past. Now, anything designed to act like marijuana, in any configuration, is illegal.
If you have the stuff, you have 10 days from now to turn it in to police. Violators face fines up to $25,000 and up to five years in prison.
A recent study shows synthetic marijuana is the third most-commonly abused drug by high school seniors.
