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Mo. expands law against synthetic drugs

The Missouri State Capitol building in Jefferson City, Mo.
(Marshall Griffin/St. Louis Public Radio)
The Missouri State Capitol building in Jefferson City, Mo.

For the second time in as many years, Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation outlawing the sale of synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of cocaine and marijuana.

The bill signed Thursday by Nixon takes aim at products often marketed as bath salts, incense or spices.

Last year, Nixon signed legislation banning one type of synthetic marijuana called spice cannabinoids, which are sprayed on plants and often sold under the name "K2."

But other forms of synthetic marijuana with different chemical formulas quickly went on the market.

The governor says this year's legislation should apply to those products, as well as any derivative of the drugs that is developed in the future.