Herbal Incense Wreaks Of Controversy

Police Say Kids Smoke It Like Marijuana.

by Chris Redford

Caddo-Shreveport narcotics agents say packages of herbal incense are flying off the shelves of local stores and people aren't buying the product for the aroma.

"They're rolling it up, smoking it and getting high," said Lt. Carl Townley.

Authorities say the incense is very popular with teenagers who pay as much as $30 a gram. Police say the "synthetic marijuana" does not show up in drug tests.

Right now, it's legal to buy, but that will soon change. Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill banning the ingredients used to make the incense. The bill currently sits on Governor Bobby Jindal's desk awaiting signature.

Opponents of the ban say lawmakers will create an underground market for the incense.

Police say the long and short-term effects of the herbal incense aren't yet known.

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