DEA regulates Spice making it illegal

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - It's a cash cow, but now selling spice, a synthetic marijuana, is also a crime.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has temporarily banned five chemicals found in spice. The DEA's final order went into effect March 1.

Businesses must call their local DEA office and arrange for destruction and disposal of the materials.

At Outer Edge Gifts on J. Clyde Morris Boulevard in Newport News, an employee told WAVY.com her boss said to keep selling the illegal spice.

She said she sold $4,000 worth of spice Tuesday.

On the phone, the store's owner told WAVY.com, "You don't know what we're selling and what we're not ma'am and you don't know if it's banned or not banned, because you don't know what's in our product."

When 10 On Your Side asked the store employee which spice had the five chemicals that were banned, the employee said, "Almost everything you see on my wall."

Newport News police said they must partner with DEA agents in order to enforce the federal regulation.

Governor McDonnell has said he plans to sign legislation that will ban spice at the state level as well.