Fake marijuana: to ban or not to ban?

VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - While some states consider legalizing marijuana, others are working to ban marijuana alternatives.

Salvia divinorum is still legal in Indiana but it's a strong hallucinogenic drug.

The Vigo County Drug Task Force said salvia and other marijuana substitutes are becoming even more dangerous and should be banned statewide.

News 10 first told you of salvia in 2007 now in the past three years it's gotten stronger and police said more dangerous.

Salvia was being made to be five times stronger, now it's manufactured to be 40 times stronger, meaning more potent.

Salvia is banned in some states like Illinois, however, other newer brands are coming out, among those being K2.

Denzil Lewis of the Vigo County Drug Task Force said these aren't gateway drugs but actual drugs that should be illegal.

"Everybody is trying to make a buck and skirt the law," Lewis said. "It's a very powerful hallucinogenic that can cause some serious problems."

News 10 did find a store in Terre Haute that sells salvia but they said they couldn't talk on camera, however, many of our viewers did sound-off on our WTHI Facebook page.

One viewer said legalizing marijuana would keep people from using the more dangerous fake marijuana and many other viewers said it should remain legal since it is "fake marijuana."

Several states are working to ban these products however, no word on whether it will be on the table in Indiana anytime soon.