NYC City Council passes anti-K2 drug bills

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Council is passing a series of three bills meant to combat the spread of "K2" synthetic cannabis.

The legislation passed by a margin of 44-0 on Wednesday.

K2 is often dubbed "synthetic marijuana." But health experts have warned that its side effects are far more serious and can be deadly.

Council members said they acted to complement police efforts to crack down on growing K2 use in New York in recent months.

One bill bans the sale of the drug and imposes criminal penalties for violations.

Another mandates the suspension of a cigarette dealer license for anyone caught selling K2.

And a third allows the police to apply public nuisance regulations to more easily crack down on establishments producing or selling the drug.