Michigan Has Banned Mr. Smiley:

Mr. Smiley may still be legal in many places in Indiana but it has been banned in some counties here now. It is however now illegal to sell Mr Smiley in Michigan. Unfortunately for 19-year-old Nathan Reed he was carrying Mr. Smiley in his pocket when he went into see his parole officer. He is now facing charges for having it in his possession. If he is found guilty he could face up to a year in jail and receive a $2,000 fine. It is not fair as far as I am concerned that he could receive as stiff of a penalty for carrying Mr. Smiley as he could if he had marijuana in his possession.

It has not been long that Mr. Smiley was legal to buy in Michigan. It was definitely a stupid move on his part and unfortunately he may be made an example of because of it. I do believe though that it should be banned.

Mr. Smiley is a dangerous substance sold as incense that is supposed to be used to calm and soothe the user. It is advertised only as an incense but it is being used to smoke like marijuana It is used as a drug and can be very dangerous to the user. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said that if someone from Indiana would bring Mr. Smiley into Michigan that they will be arrested for having it in their possession also.

Mr. Smiley is sold in colorful pouches and canisters and is clearly visible behind the counters of some 10 local cigarette shops and gas stations. Although their packaging claims they are "not for human consumption," they resemble marijuana in appearance and are almost always smoked, according to the merchants of the product.

Some stores claim that they do not sell Mr. Smiley to teenagers but many of them actually do. Porter County is the only northern county in Indiana to have banned the sale of Mr. Smiley so far. Merchants have been advised to take it off of their shelves in Indiana.

"As the former head of a narcotics division said, " I know it's stuff like this that introduces kids to drug activity. "If someone else is providing it, kids may not know the difference between this and marijuana. Some people can become easily addicted and move on to other, harder drugs."

Michigan and at least 14 other states have put a ban on Mr. Smiley, or Mr. Spice as this product is often called. Now Indiana counties and cities are also beginning to put a ban on it as well. A ban in Illinois will go into effect Jan. 1 according to The Associated Press.

Before the laws took effect, many businesses that manufactured these products have already made slight changes to the chemical formula of the product, making it legal again, the AP reported. There will always be those who are out to make money and they don't care how many lives that they may ruin.

Porter County and soon La Porte County will have a ban on Mr. Smiley as well. The Indiana Legislature will likely consider a statewide ban next year.