Newly prohibited substances include synthetic versions of cannabis, such as a drug called spice.
These man-made chemical compounds, which are designed to mimic the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis, will now be classified as Class B illegal substances.
The chemical solvent GBL, often used as a "club drug", and BZP, a stimulant similar to amphetamine, will now be controlled as Class C substances.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson claimed the ban would deter young people from experimenting with dangerous substances.
He said, "We are cracking down on so called ‘legal highs' which are an emerging threat, particularly to young people. That is why we are making a range of these substances illegal with ground- breaking legislation which will also ban their related compounds."
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