Miami-Dade Commissioners on Tuesday pushed forward an ordinance banning the sale and purchase of synthetic marijuana.
They voted 10-0 to move the ordinance to be vetted by a committee. It will then go for a final vote, The Miami Herald reported. The measure would call for a $500 and/ or 60 days in jail for buying or selling the substance.
The ordinance was introduced by the County Commission Chairman, Joe Martinez. Authorities said they were contact by the Homestead Hospital about a spate of emergency cases.
The substance is synthetic, is up to 800 times more potent than real marijuana and costs up to $40 for a packet.
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They are sold at gas stations, convenience stores and other shops because manufacturers have developed new chemical recipes that are not banned.
"I didn't know about these things," Commissioner Rebeca Sosa was quoted as saying by the Herald.
Other cities in South Florida are in the processing of banning the sale and purchase of fake pot too.
