Last month, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued an Emergency Control notice to retailers and consumers that they had one month to take bath salts containing three chemicals off the shelves and out of their possession. Friday, the federal agency exercised their final authority.
Mephedrone, 3,4 methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and Methylone are made to create the synthetic drug marketed as "bath salts" or "plant food."
This emergency action was necessary to prevent an imminent threat to public safety, said the DEA.
The ban will remain in effect for at least a year while the DEA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services complete studies on whether the chemicals should be permanently banned.
A six month extension could follow the year ban, said the DEA.
The DEA categorizes the chemicals as Schedule 1 status, the highest potential for abuse.
People use bath salts through eating, snorting or shooting up. The effects are similar to cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine, said the DEA.
Bath salts are sold at retail stores and on the internet.
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