By David Madden

NEW JERSEY (CBS) – New Jersey officials are looking at newly released data and suggesting that their crackdown on synthetic marijuana and so-called “bath salt” drugs is working.

A ban on the “bath salts” as they’re commonly called has been on the books for almost a year and a half. The fake marijuana prohibition took effect last February.

Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa says those actions, paired with vigorous enforcement, have accomplished their goal.

“In the cases of individuals being exposed to synthetic marijuana, we’ve seen a 33% decline. And on bath salts, we’ve seen a 66% decline,” Chiesa says.

Why go after these specific items? Because they can have dramatic, long term adverse health effects on users.

While the action on bath salts is permanent, the synthetic marijuana prohibition is due to expire in early November.

Chiesa expects to have a permanent ban in place on that chemical concoction before then.