LEGISLATION CRACKING DOWN ON THE SALE OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS IN ILLINOIS HAS BEEN APPROVED BY STATE LAWMAKERS.

SYNTHETIC DRUGS ARE SOLD AS INCENSE OR BATH SALTS…BUT ARE ACTUALLY A BLEND OF HERBS AND CHEMICAL HALLUCINOGENS USED TO GET HIGH. REPRESENTATIVE JERRY COSTELLO OF SPARTA SPONSORED THE MEASURE…SAYING GAS STATIONS AND CONVENIENCE STORES ARE MAKING SO MUCH MONEY OFF THE PRODUCT…THEY ARE COMING UP WITH CLEVER WAYS TO GET AROUND STATE LAW AND SELL THE DRUGS.

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THE BILL MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO SELL ANY FORM OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS AND RAISES THE PENALTIES FOR THOSE CAUGHT. IT’S STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL LISA MADIGAN…WHO CALLS SYNTHETIC DRUGS THE GREATEST EMERGING PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THE STATE. IT NOW MOVES TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW.