Arizona Law Bans Basic Chemical Formulas of Synthetic Drugs

A new Arizona law bans the basic chemical formulas of synthetic drugs. Law enforcement officials hope the law will be an improvement over a previous law that was frequently thwarted by synthetic drug makers.

The new law expands Arizona’s definition of dangerous drugs, to include chemical formulas for synthetic marijuana, bath salts and other synthetic drugs, the Associated Press reports. Synthetic drug makers were able to get around the previous law by slightly modifying the composition of their products.

“The production and use of these synthetic drugs is a growing epidemic in Arizona and nationwide, and poses a threat to our citizens,” Governor Jan Brewer said in a statement.

In July 2012, President Obama signed legislation to ban synthetic drugs. The law bans harmful chemicals in synthetic drugs such as those used to make synthetic marijuana and bath salts.