AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has signed into law a measure targeting synthetic drugs known as “bath salts.”

LePage signed the bill on Wednesday after conferring with Public Safety Commissioner John Morris. The bill establishes a $350 fine for possession of the substance. It also establishes penalties for trafficking that can carry jail time for repeat offenses.

Bath salts were largely unknown a year ago. But there has been a surge of emergency room visits by people who’ve overdosed on the chemicals.

Adrienne Bennett, spokewoman for the governor, says the measure is a good first step toward dealing with the chemicals that cause hallucinations.

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