Health ministry in Austria imposed an immediate ban on the sale and distribution of the herbal incense “Spice“, which some people have taken to smoking for its hallucinogenic and psychodelic effects.

Smoking mixture Spice, which is sold legally in a number of countries as an exotic herbal smoking blend that releases a rich fragrance when burned, would be banned from sale immediately in Austria because a cannabis-like substance, synthetical cannabinoid JWH-018, had been found in it, the ministry said in a statement.

While the effects of taking the substance JWH-018 had not yet been fully determined, the risks were deemed to be high, the statement added. Thus, an immediate 14-day ban had been imposed until a more permanent ruling could be reached, the statement said. (more…)