MOBILE, Alabama -- Gov. Robert Bentley signed an executive order today allowing law enforcement agencies to seize synthetic marijuana commonly known as “spice” and “K2.” Investigators with the Mobile County District Attorney’s office immediately began acting on the order, fanning out to stores to remove any that they found from shelves.

Mobile Police Chief Micheal T. Williams and Baldwin County District Attorney Hallie Dixon also praised the order and said they were prepared for vigorous enforcement.

The herbal psychoactive substances — laced with synthetic cannabinoids or mimicking compounds — have been sold in stores and marketed online as incense or potpourri, selling for around $20 to $40 a package. Typically, however, buyers smoke it.

While the intoxicating high of synthetic marijuana may last 15 to 20 minutes, health experts said, it can cause chronic side effects extending for weeks.

Williams said, “One of the reasons we wanted to take that stuff off the shelves was because of some of the horror stories we heard.”

Since October 2010, the Regional Poison Control Center at Children’s of Alabama, a Birmingham hospital, has taken more than 100 calls from those exposed to “K2” or “Spice,” health officials reported. Three victims were children ages of 6 to 12, 35 were teenagers and 32 were in their 20s, according to the data.

On Friday, Bentley joined State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson to announce the emergency order outlawing the possession or sale of the chemical compounds typically found in synthetic marijuana.

“These substances have been wrongly presented as a safe and legal alternative to marijuana,” Williamson said. “We want the public to be aware of the toxic effects and other dangers.”

On Oct. 24, Williamson said, 24 substances will be placed on the Alabama Controlled Substances List, essentially making it illegal to manufacture, sell or possess the synthetic marijuana products now on the market.

Bentley said, “They are being sold in convenience stores and tobacco shops all over this state to unwary individuals including our children.”

The governor said that the state was urging store owners to remove the products, while also instructing law enforcement agencies to seize any that they encounter.

For now, store owners will get a receipt showing what was taken, but would not be arrested, according to state officials.

Harmful side effects of the synthetic marijuana may include the following, experts say: Anxiety attacks, seizures, hallucinations, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and rapid pulse, paranoia, suicidal thoughts, aggression and uncontrollable rage, severe depression and addiction.

According to Bentley’s office, state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur and Rep. Allen Farley, R-McCalla, are sponsoring a bill for the next Legislature that would formally prohibit the manufacture and sale of synthetic marijuana compounds, and establish felony charges for its sale and possession.