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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah Governor Gary Herbert has signed a bill banning the sale of a synthetic form of cannabis known as Spice throughout the state.
Herbert publicly signed House Bill 23 on Friday morning in his office.
The ban provides criminal penalties for producing, distributing or possessing Spice. It also bans products sold as bath salts that are used by people as a hallucinogen.
Republican Rep. Gage Froerer of Huntsville, the bill's sponsor, says Spice is popular among teenagers. It can causes impaired driving but until now did not allow for a driving under the influence charge.
Spice is sold at many smoke shops and convenience stores as incense, but users smoke it like marijuana.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
