Alabama State Senators Push Bills to Ban Synthetic Pot

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By CBS-8 Reporter

Story Created: Feb 3, 2012 at 1:16 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 3, 2012 at 1:16 PM CDT

Concerned with chemists changing the formula of illegal synthetic marijuana to get around Alabama law, two state senators have crafted bills to thwart rogue producers of those designer drugs.

Products with names like "Spice" and "K2" are marketed as potpourri or incense, but produce a marijuana-like high when consumed. Though they're illegal in Alabama, some states have seen producers change their chemical formula to avoid laws banning specific substances.

Legislation from Sens. Arthur Orr, a Republican, and Marc Keahey, a Democrat, would outlaw any substance that has psychoactive effects similar to marijuana.

Orr says his bill goes above an executive order issued by Gov. Robert Bentley last fall to remove the products from shelves. He says it would prevent companies from coming up with any new types of synthetic marijuana.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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