Proposal would ban hallucinogenic bath salts

A northwest Georgia lawmaker is proposing the state ban synthetic drugs in bath salts that can have hallucinogenic effects.

House Bill 199 would ban five stimulants from the chemical family of cathinones, a group of drugs related to amphetamine that can create a high similar to that of methamphetamines.

Reports of overdoses and deaths from the drugs have been reported in other states. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jay Neal, R-LaFayette, said he wants to prevent any similar problems in Georgia.