Indiana retailers face penalties over ‘bath salts’

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Updated: February 21, 2012 11:29PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana retailers could lose their business licenses for a year if they’re caught selling synthetic stimulants nicknamed “bath salts” or others that mimic marijuana.

The Indiana House voted 94-0 Monday to approve adding that provision to a bill aimed at broadening the state’s ban on synthetic drugs. The license provision would apply in cases in which the owner or manager of a retail outlet was convicted.

The bill would add several chemical compounds to a law that legislators passed last year that bans marijuana-like drugs known as spice or K2. The bill also specifies that related mixtures are illegal and gives the state pharmacy board the authority to declare a substance is a synthetic drug.

Sponsors say such flexibility is needed to react to drug makers adjusting their formulas.