'Bath salts' ban sent to Corbett for enactment

HARRISBURG - A bill that would ban the sale of a legal yet powerful drug known as "bath salts" is heading to Gov. Corbett's desk after unanimous passage by the state Senate on Wednesday.

A spokesman said Corbett would sign the bill, which also would outlaw synthetic marijuana.

"Bath salts," which have the scientific name methylenedioxypyrovalerone, are a stimulant that can produce hallucinations and touch off bizarre or violent behavior when ingested, injected, or smoked.

Before the vote, Sen. Lisa Baker (R., Lehigh) recounted the story of a mother who slashed a knife repeatedly into a wall of her house, and another of a high school athlete who lost an arm and may lose a leg as a result of violent behavior during a salts high.

"We must get this done immediately," Baker said. "We have to get this off our streets and out of our communities."

The popularity of the drug, bought at convenience stores and on the Internet for as little as $10, has spread from Europe to most parts of the United States, particularly among teens and young adults in rural areas.

Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico, president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, praised the bill's passage.

"Across the commonwealth we have seen horror stories resulting from individuals ingesting bath salts," he said. "This will give police the tools they need to ensure kids and others are not using this substance."

This week, police in Northumberland County said a 22-month-old baby and a driver believed to be under the influence of the drug were seriously injured when their car slammed the back of a truck and crashed into a stand of trees.

About 20 states, including New Jersey, have moved to ban the salts, which are unrelated to traditional bath salts. Five counties and one municipality in Pennsylvania - all in the central or northeastern part of the state - have banned the drug.

The bill, which would make local ordinances unnecessary, carries a penalty of up to five years for possessing the drug with intent to sell. Users would face fines and up to a year in jail.

Contact staff writer Amy Worden at 717-783-2584 or aworden@phillynews.com.