Va. outlaws Spice, bath salts

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Synthetic marijuana and bath salts that have been used to get a legal high now will land users in jail.

Gov. Bob McDonnell signed two bills outlawing the synthetic drugs on Wednesday. The ban takes effect immediately.

Synthetic marijuana blends, commonly sold as "Spice" and "K2," are labeled as incense or potpourri. The chemicals are sprayed onto herbs and spices and sold for at least $10 per gram.

The bath salts, sold under names like "Ivory Wave" and "Cloud Nine," are snorted, smoked or injected and mimic the effects of cocaine, ecstasy and LSD.

Both have been suspected for overdose deaths and sicknesses nationwide.

Possession is a misdemeanor, but distributing the drugs would be a felony and manufacturing them would be punishable by up to 30 years in prison.