State Assembly Passes Law Banning Synthetic Marijuana

Albany, NY (WIBX) - The state Assembly has passed legislation adding the chemicals found in synthetic marijuana to the list of controlled substances.

Sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, the new bill makes the possession of synthetic marijuana a misdemeanor crime. Formerly, those violating the ban faced only civil action.

"Synthetic marijuana and other designer drugs can be even more dangerous than the drugs they are meant to mimic," Brindisi said. "...We owe it to our children and families to ban these drugs."

This legislation comes after the state Department of Health's decision to ban the sale and distribution of the drug earlier this year.