Maryland lawmakers work to ban fake pot

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Several Maryland lawmakers have introduced measures that would make the manufacture, possession or sale of synthetic cannabinoids, more commonly known, as Spice, K2 or synthetic marijuana, illegal.
 
Synthetic cannabinoids are typically sold as a mixture of herbs and spices that have been sprayed with a synthetic compound. The compounds are not derived from the marijuana plant but mimic the effects of THC, the primary ingredient in marijuana.
 
The mixture can be smoked or ingested in tea.
 
Lawmakers say the synthetic drugs are easy to obtain and have harsher effects than regular marijuana, including agitation, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure and paranoia.
 
Synthetic cannabinoids are frequently sold in colorful packages with cartoon-like labeling aimed at enticing young adults.