TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie today signed a bill to ban the possession, manufacture or sale of synthetic marijuana, often referred to as "K2" or "Spice."

The new law codifies a state regulation first enacted in 2011 and made permanent last year.

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“Synthetic marijuana is ubiquitous and poses dangerous side effects,” said state Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Somerset), a sponsor of the bill (S1783). “Fake pot can cause violent seizures, elevated heart rates and death.”

Selling or producing more than an ounce of the drug would be a second degree crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while for smaller amounts it would be a third degree crime that could land offenders in prison for up to five years. Possession would either be a third degree or fourth degree crime, which carries a sentence of up to one-and-a-half years in prison.

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