The New South Wales Government has announced it will ban synthetic cannabis from next month.

The drug is currently sold legally online and in herbal and adult stores under names like Kronic, Spice and Northern Lights.

Psychiatrists say the drugs can impair judgement and are not safe to use when operating heavy machinery.

But more worryingly they say the products can be 10 times stronger than conventional marijuana and therefore carry an even higher risk of inducing paranoia and anxiety.

Mental Health Minister Kevin Humphries says the Government has a duty to ban the products because they are a clear risk to health and safety.

Selling the drugs will be banned from July 1, with a ban on smoking them to come into effect a week later.

Western Australia was the first state to ban the drugs after concerns about their use, particularly on mine sites.

South Australia followed suit soon afterwards, but gave no notice of its intentions because of concerns people would stockpile the drugs.

Other states, including Queensland and Tasmania, have also indicated they intend to act soon to ban the products.

Source: ABC News