AZ Lawmakers Try To Ban Synthetic Drugs, Again

That darn chemistry keeps foiling them

It's an illegal marijuana knockoff that can result in seizures, psychotic episodes and other dangerous side effects, but some teenagers can't get enough of it.

Despite a statewide and federal ban on synthetic marijuana, some Arizona lawmakers say the state must do more to crack down on the drug commonly known as spice. A Senate committee advanced two bills Monday that would make it harder to use or buy the synthetic compound that activates some of the same receptors in the body stimulated by cannabis.

One bill would prohibit businesses with liquor licenses from selling spice. Another bill would expand the state's definition of dangerous drugs and increase the minimum fine for selling or manufacturing those drugs from $1,000 to $25,000.