WAITE PARK, Minn. — Officials from 14 schools in central Minnesota are gathering Tuesday to discuss the increasing use of synthetic marijuana.

Synthetic marijuana is known by the brand names “K2” or “Spice” and is sold legally in Minnesota as herbal incense.

Dan Becker, a chemical health counselor in the St. Cloud school district, says synthetic marijuana is becoming very popular among young people. He tells WJON-AM that there have not been a lot of tests on synthetic marijuana, and its long-term effects are unknown.

State Representative Steve Gottwalt of St. Cloud says he wants to get a law passed this session to ban the substance.

The meeting with area school leaders is from 10 a.m. until noon at the Stearns County Government Center in Waite Park.