TRENTON, N.J. - The New Jersey Assembly is considering a bill that would ban the sale of so-called "bath salts," Patch.com reports. Assemblywoman Linda Stender??s proposal would prohibit the sale of Methylenedioxypyrovalerone, or MDVP, which is the major drug in bath salts.

The synthetic compound, which resembles therapeutic salts designed for home bathtubs and spas, is available in smoke shops and convenience stores across the state. "It is a stimulant drug with very erratic and intense impact," said Stender, who introduced the bill along with Assemblyman John McKeon.

So far, 10 cases have bath-salt usage have been reported in New Jersey, according to Steven Marcus, medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center. The American Association of Poison Control Centers found just over 1,400 cases of reported bath salt overdoses in the United States since late 2010.

Marcus said that several years ago, use of MDVP in Europe triggered a ban of the drug in the United Kingdom. The drug??s growing popularity in the United States may be because of tighter restrictions on over-the-counter cold medications in pharmacies and drugstores.

Louisiana became the first state to ban MDVP when its governor signed an executive order in January. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal introduced a measure to ensure the ban would become a permanent part of state law last week.