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"Spice" is a synthetic form of marijuana available at many stores across West Michigan.
HOLLAND, Mich. (WZZM) -- Police call synthetic drugs a serious threat to young people.
One of the drugs is a popular replacement for marijuana called "Spice." You can find it almost anywhere in West Michigan.
Veronica Henry is completely open about selling the synthetic drug known as "Spice" at Nirvana in Holland.
"We've never had an issue," says Henry.
Right now, it's perfectly legal. But Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Anderson says don't be fooled - it's also dangerous.
"There's no control, so one user may have no reaction and someone else may have a bad trip," says Lt. Anderson.
Anderson says new laws can't seem to keep up with those manufacturing synthetic drugs.
"They're able to side-step that by changing a chemical a little bit," says Anderson.
But new legislation would speed up the process of banning dangerous drugs by allowing state health officials to take immediate action.
"Basically make a temporary ban on it for 180 days, while more research is done," says Anderson.
Lawmakers would then have time to pass a more comprehensive law. Still, it's not a complete fix because many ingredients for the drugs are also available online.
"It's very easy to get online and buy in bulk," says Anderson.
"If you know where it's been sold and regulated, you know where to come if there's a problem," says Henry.
But Anderson says the problem is already here, and sooner or later someone will be seriously hurt.
The legislation to prevent synthetic drug sales passed the Senate two weeks ago, and now waits for approval from the House.