LEBANON, Ind. -- Boone County leaders have voted to ban the use of "spice," a substance that some consider an alternative to marijuana that officials said is growing exponentially in use.

Spice, also known as K2, is legal in Indiana, but authorities said it is sprayed with chemicals that induce the same effect as marijuana and can be up to 10 times more potent than the drug.

The Indiana Poison Center recently said the substance has caused the hospitalization of more than a dozen residents.

Boone County Prosecutor Todd Meyer called on county leaders to take immediate action to ban the substance, addressing the issue before the Legislature, which is expected to take it up in January.

"Even if they were to pass emergency legislation and have it go into effect right then, that's a long way off yet," Meyer said.

Authorities said spice is a mood-altering substance, is more powerful than marijuana and elevates a user's blood pressure and heart rate. It is typically sold as incense and is smoked like pot.

"I don't think it's really gotten out there how dangerous it really is. It's just kind of a recreation drug, like everything else," said Alex Prittie, who said he doesn't use the substance. "Of course, it was legal, so it made it even more popular."

The Boone County law will go into effect once it's published in the Lebanon Reporter and the Zionsville newspaper.

Law enforcement will notify retailers that spice is prohibited for sale, and they're hoping retailers will take the initiative and clear shelves on their own.

Retailers who don't comply will face fines. Authorities are mindful that banning spice in Boone County won't stop people from getting it in other counties.

"While we've done the right thing, it's not such an inconvenience that people may not be tempted just to drive a little farther," said Charles Eaton, a Boone County commissioner. "I would hope all the surrounding counties would do similar to what we've done."

Supporters of the substance contend that reported illnesses don't have a proven link to the substance.

State Rep. John Barnes plans to introduce the bill to ban the substance statewide.

Spice has been on the market since 2006 and is banned in at least seven states, including Kentucky.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers said it has logged 866 cases from 48 states in which someone reported a negative reaction to spice so far this year. In 2009, there were 13 reports.