The Athens Banner-Herald is reporting that the use of so-called synthetic marijuana, widely known as Spice or K2, is an increasing problem in the U.S. military.

While Spice is legal to possess in a number of states, Georgia is not one of them. Possession of Spice is just as illegal here as marijuana possession.

While Spice is considered synthetic pot by many of its users, the substance is really a mix of Asian herbs coated with chemicals designed to mimic the effects of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Experts say effects of the substance can be unpredictable, however, with some users experiencing hallucinations that go on for days.

Spice is easily found on the internet, making it available not only to users in Athens, but across the U.S. and in foreign nations where U.S. troops are stationed.

Military officials say they've adopted a zero tolerance policy in regards to Spice and other drugs.

Soldiers, sailors and Marines found guilty of using the drug are routinely drummed out of the military, though officials say they don't have a figure for how many discharges have been due to use of the substance.

Until last year, there had been no way to detect the presence of the drugs in Spice in a person's system. Then the Drug Enforcement Administration developed a test, which prompted Spice makers to slightly alter the chemicals in the substance in efforts to get around the bans and tests.

Here in Georgia, synthetic marijuana was banned in the summer of 2010.

Source: Athens Banner-Herald: "'Synthetic' marijuana is problem for US military," Julie Watson, Dec. 31, 2011