Possession of synthetic cannabis was banned by unanimous vote Monday by the Uintah County Commission.

The ordinance, which will take effect 15 days from signing, makes it unlawful for any person to possess the manmade substance commonly known as “Spice,” but also sold under other names, anywhere in Uintah County.

“The ordinance makes illegal the possession of synthetic marijuana in Uintah County,” said John Gothard, county deputy attorney. “It makes it a class B misdemeanor to possess the substance.”

A class B misdemeanor carries criminal penalties up to six months in the county jail, according to State of Utah sentencing guidelines.

“Utah’s Adult Probation and Parole already has a condition regarding non-use of Spice for probationers,” Gothard said, citing the expanded concern for incense containing substances with marijuana-like effects.

Spice, a compound of herbs and synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), offers a pot-like high when smoked, users say.

The county’s ordinance is just a beginning, commissioners said Monday. Attorney Gothard noted, however, defense counselors will likely take issue with the county’s legal prohibition of the substance.

Unlike other hallucinogenic substances, synthetic marijuana has evaded legislative action up to now, as it was never intended to be ingested. It is sold under a variety of names as incense labeled “not for human consumption.”

Uintah County is not the only local entity in the state to take action on the possession of Spice. On Tuesday, the Utah County Commission banned synthetic forms of marijuana in unincorporated areas of Utah County. It is now illegal to possess, use or purchase Spice (and other brands) in those areas.

Cache County’s ordinance fell short of approval last week as council members ultimately decided to table the measure for further discussion.

Uintah County’s ordinance modifies Title 09 of the public peace, morals and welfare chapter adding synthetic marijuana to the county code.

The county will ban synthetic marijuana containing JWH-0108, JWH-073, HU-210, CP-47,497 or any combination of these chemicals.

The move is supported by local law enforcement, which has expressed interest in seeing the substance banned for some time.

“We’re seeing Spice use by teens and adults who are looking for a mild high,” Keith Campbell, spokesman for the Vernal City Police Department, told the Vernal Express last April.

Campbell went on to say that state and federal officials are pushing to see the Utah Legislature pass laws to have the substance banned.

“The state Legislature is looking into banning the substance outright, possibly early in the next legislative session,” Gothard said.

A local store manager of a Vernal smokeshop that has carried the incense since January plans to contact the commission office for additional information, saying, “If it’s banned, I’ll remove the item immediately.”

County officials said this is the first such substance banned by Uintah County in commission history.