JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Some Missouri lawmakers want to outlaw synthetic hallucinogenic drugs that are marketed as bath salts and to expand a ban on synthetic marijuana.
House Republican Ward Franz, of West Plains, is sponsoring legislation to make possession of the drugs sold as bath salts a Class C felony.
He also wants to ban all synthetic substances that are similar to marijuana, making possession of up to 35 grams a misdemeanor and higher amounts a felony. A law passed last year banned one such substance, known as K2. Franz's bill would ban all similar synthetics.
Columbia attorney Dan Viets says the bill would increase the number of people prosecuted for drug crimes, increasing costs for the state's prison system and public defender offices.
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Synthetic drugs is HB641
Online:
Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov