Synthetic drugs banned in San Luis Obispo County

With little discussion, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance banning synthetic drugs in unincorporated areas of the county.

The law bans the possession, distribution and sale of synthetic drugs that are often known by their street names such as bath salts, herbal incense and spice. Sheriff Ian Parkinson said all of the cities in the county either have a similar ban in place or are in the process of adopting one.

Supervisor Debbie Arnold said she is glad the ban is in place and that she considers synthetic drugs a serious problem.

Synthetic drugs are chemically laced substances similar to marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine that have been sold over the counter at some convenience stores, gas stations and tobacco shops. A car accident in 2014 near Cayucos that killed two people was attributed to the driver smoking spice, Parkinson said.

This story was originally published February 2, 2016 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Synthetic drugs banned in San Luis Obispo County."