State Legislature Expands Ban on 'Fake' Bath Salts

State Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, D-Bayside, said the state Legislature has passed a bill that has added new compounds used to make bath salts to the state’s banned substances list.

In 2011, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation proposed by Braunstein that would ban the sale of “fake bath salts,” which the assemblyman said were used as dangerous recreational drugs.

The newest bath salt bill would classify compounds used to make the salts as Schedule 1 stimulant controlled substances and impose criminal penalties on those who use, sell or possess them.

The legislation would also make it a felony to sell the substances to a minor or on school grounds.

“We have seen too many examples and heard too many stories all over our state and around the country about these dangerous, unpredictable drugs that have devastating effects,” Braunstein said. “Since we passed the ban in 2011, we have seen an explosion of bath salts made from new compounds created by drug dealers to avoid the current law. These drugs are causing serious law enforcement, health and mental health problems for communities and families across New York State.”

Braunstein said “fake bath salts” are man-made stimulant drugs that are similar to methamphetamines. They can stimulate the nervous and cardiac systems and cause heart attacks, seizures, permanent brain damage and severe hallucinations.