Ban on synthetic marijuana clears legislature

INDIANAPOLIS - Synthetic marijuana known as spice or K2 would be banned under a bill that has gained final approval from the Indiana General Assembly.

The House voted unanimously Tuesday to pass the bill, which would treat possessing or dealing synthetic marijuana the same as the real drug. The Senate earlier approved the bill that lists 25 chemical compounds used to make the substance often sold as incense.

Several Indiana counties have local ordinances banning the substance from stores, but supporters of the bill say a state law criminalizing it is needed. Health officials and police have urged lawmakers to ban the substance because of adverse reactions such as increased heart rate and hallucinations.

The proposal now goes to Gov. Mitch Daniels for his consideration.