Gov. Haley Barbour has added synthetic marijuana known as “spice” to the agenda for Friday's special Legislative session, the governor's office announced this morning.

The governor wants lawmakers to consider banning sale of the substance in Mississippi. The governor said several Mississippi cities have banned spice, but the state needs a comprehensive law.

“Spice is no different than marijuana and should be treated as every other controlled substance under our laws,” Barbour said.

Barbour said the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, local law enforcement officials and local governments had asked him to include spice on the agenda.

Attorney Gen. Jim Hood on Wednesday morning also urged Barbour to add spice to the agenda. Hood said he was drafting a bill to give to lawmakers and notes that several states have already made it illegal.

“This will not cost the taxpayers for this to be included in the special session,” Hood said.

The Sun Herald follows this story in both print and online editions.