Berlin - Germany plans to ban the cannabis-like drug Spice next month because of its potential danger to health, Drug Commissioner Sabine Baetzing said Tuesday.

Spice is enjoying growing popularity in Germany where it is sold as a natural herbal mixture that does not contain cannabis and therefore does not fall under anti-drug laws.

"It is not the harmless herbal drug it is made out to be," said Baetzing," referring to a recent study which found it contained a potentially harmful chemical.

"It has the same effects as cannabis, but can be up to four times stronger. It can cause hallucinations and affect a person's consciousness," she told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

"Tests have shown that smoking the drug can cause undesirable side affects on the heart, circulation and nervous system, in some cases leading to unconsciousness. There is also a danger of addiction."

Baetzing said she hoped the ban would come into force by mid- January. Offenders could face fines or jail terms.

A recent study conducted for the city of Frankfurt showed Spice contains the synthetic substance JHW-018. The chemical was found to be four times stronger than THC, the natural psychoactive substance contained in cannabis.

The drug commissioner has been looking into a ban on Spice since the summer of this year.

She said the ban would take the form of a decree modifying the Controlled Substances Act. It would remain in force until parliament acts on a long-term ban, probably within the space of one year.

Spice was banned in Austria earlier this month. (dpa)