Photo via Flickr.

Photo via Flickr.

Update: The Council passed Bowser’s emergency legislation today.

Original post:

The D.C. Council will vote on proposed emergency legislation today that would introduce tougher penalties for businesses caught selling synthetic marijuana.

The emergency legislation, which was introduced by Mayor Muriel Bowser in response to a recent spike in synthetic marijuana overdoses in the D.C. area, will deliver harsher penalties for businesses caught selling synthetic drugs, such as K2, Spice, and Scooby Snax.

Under the bill, “The Sale of Synthetic Drugs Emergency Amendment Act of 2015,” which Bowser announced at a press conference a few weeks ago, MPD Chief Cathy Lanier would have the authority to close down any business caught selling synthetic drugs for up to 96 hours.

Additionally, the bill would also fine that business $10,000 for the first violation and $20,000 for a second violation, as well as the risk of being shut down for up to 30 days, with the DCRA moving to permanently revoke its business license.