UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Utah County is banning people from using a popular herb called spice to get high. It's known to give users a high similar to marijuana.
The Utah County commission banning the drug because of it's growing popularity and because little is known about what it actually does to people who smoke the drug.
Sheriff's deputies say it's not uncommon to find several teenagers and young adults smoking spice in Utah County canyons. Spice looks like marijuana, it smells like marijuana, and even gives users a similar high.
Most anyone can buy it in one of several smoke shops across Utah and they can legally smoke spice in front of an officer. "We've had a lot of people tell us. Yeah I got busted for pot and I don't want to get busted for pot and this is legal nobody can do anything about it," says Utah County Sheriff's Sergeant, Spencer Cannon.
Spice is becoming more popular and officers don't know what kind of adverse health effects it could have on the human body. According to the Utah County Sheriff's Department it's an untested drug. "It seems if it's that popular they're going to have a hard time getting rid of it all," said Cole Ainsworth who is a teenager from Orem.
Community leaders hope the penalties will persuade users to put the drug down. Users could get six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
The ban will take effect by the end of September in Utah County's unincorporated areas. The ban does not prevent stores from selling spice.
