Illinois governor Pat Quinn has signed a measure aimed at reducing access to “bath salts.”
“We want to make sure our drug policies are aggressive, current and responsive,” Mr. Quinn said Friday in a statement. “These new laws bring Illinois to the cutting-edge of enforcement policies and advance our efforts to make Illinois a safe, productive and drug-free state.”
The Illinois Democrat signs the measure as a number of states have passed similar measures as people seek to use the “bath salts” as a hallucinogenic substance.
The drug has been linked to numerous deaths around the country and over half of all states have passed laws curtailing access to the products. The Illinois Poison Control Center noted earlier this year that it has received an influx of calls regarding exposure to bath salts and supports legislative attempts to ban the drug.
Since last year, the American Association of Poison Control Centers has reported a six-fold increase in calls related to the consumption of bath salts, which produces severe hallucinations, paranoia and psychotic episodes when consumed. Previously, “bath salts” were unregulated and legal, in part due to their labeling as unfit for human consumption.
The “bath salt” ban comes as Illinois lawmakers have passed bans on salvia and synthetic marijuana.
