INDIANA (WFIE) -
There's a new plan in Indiana to stop the sale of synthetic drugs.
State and local law enforcement are giving retailers one week to get the dangerous product off their shelves.
Businesses suspected of selling synthetic drugs, like K2 and bath salts, now have two options: stop selling or close their doors.
"You have no right to sell things that are a hazard or danger to the public," said Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller.
A clear warning for business owners from Zoeller for those who continue to sell synthetic drugs such as K2 or potpourri in their shops.
Zoeller, along with other local officials, are taking a stand against synthetic drugs, whether the ingredients are on the 60 banned substances or not.
The new initiative gives the Indiana Board of Pharmacy the authority to add any substances to that list.
"It is something you can lose your business license over, it is something you can be prosecuted for," said Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann.
This week, businesses will have the opportunity to hand over their synthetic drug inventory and not be prosecuted, and those that are currently being investigated will have a chance to sign an agreement promising to cease all sale of synthetic drugs.
In exchange, police will drop the investigation, as long as they are compliant.
"Statutes have been changed, they've been toughened up, we are going to start utilizing every means possible that we can to take this off the counter, so that when you take your kid to the drug store you don't see this," said Hermann.
Zoeller and Hermann say the drugs are not only dangerous, causing it's users to feel unpredictable effects like high body temperatures, psychotic behaviors or organ damage, but are also dangerous to law enforcement who have to respond to these calls.
"There have been times when we've had to use force or have to go hands on with the people to actually get them under control," explained Evansville Assistant Police Chief Chris Pugh.
Some of those letters were also mailed to businesses Wednesday. This was modelled after a similar initiative in Illinois.
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The new initiative gives the Indiana Board of Pharmacy the authority to add any substances to a list of banned substances.
