Officials in the northwestern New Mexico city say it’s marketed as incense but when burned and inhaled can be more potent than THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
Synthetic marijuana, also known as salvia divinorum, is sold under names such as K-2, Spice, Genie, Zohai, Sage and Yucatan Fire.
Farmington’s proposed ordinance says the risk posed by the substances creates a danger to public health, welfare and safety.
Councilman Dan Darnell has said synthetic marijuana is not a major problem in Farmington, but the city is seeing it.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced Nov. 24 it would strictly control five chemicals used to make synthetic marijuana for at least a year while studying a permanent ban.