Police say K2, a popular brand of "herbal incense",   is growing in popularity among teens and young adults in the St. Louis area. It remains legal in Missouri and Illinois, but a proposed K2 ban in Missouri aims to kill the buzz. Meanwhile, police and school officials are concerned as its use becomes more widespread.   The dried herbs come in 3-gram packages of various flavors, including "Blonde," "Pink," "Citron" and " Summit." K 2 herbs contain synthetic chemicals that experts say imitate marijuana's effects on the brain. Other herbal blends are available   but merchants and users say K2 is the hottest brand now because it packs a powerful, relatively cheap high.

Investigators with the St. Charles County sheriff's deputies began researching it themselves after recently finding a K2 wrapper in the parking lot of Francis Howell High School. Sheriff Tom Neer told the Post Dispatch "If this compound has any effect similar to marijuana, then it's certainly a concern." The Highway Patrol crime lab in Jefferson City tested K2 samples submitted by police in Columbia and Springfield and found no THC, the narcotic in marijuana, or any other illegal substances.

Missouri state Rep. Ward Franz of West Plains, has introduced a bill to add the chemical compound in K2 to Missouri's list of illegal drugs. Franz says K2 use is widespread in the Springfield area. K2 will be a main discussion topic at a meeting today of St. Charles County school resource officers at St. Peters City Hall.