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CORBIN (AP) - Officials in a southern Kentucky city have taken a step toward banning synthetic marijuana.

Corbin officials unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance on Monday that would make it illegal to sell or use the substance, The Times-Tribune reported.

The vote came after officials heard from a judge and a representative of a federal anti-drug initiative who said it was needed to protect teens and young adults. The chemical-coated herb mixtures can have dangerous side effects.

"I'm here for one purpose, and that's to pass the ordinance against synthetic marijuana. It's under the counter, it's sold at gas stations, and right now, it's legal," District Judge Cathy Prewitt told city commissioners. "This ordinance is not perfect. It will be challenged. But you have a lot of support for this. And you will have law enforcement behind you to make arrests. It's a start."

Elyssa Price, who is the treatment director for the federal anti-drug initiative Operation UNITE, said other nearby communities have passed similar measures.

"You've got to make a start somewhere. They've already done that in both Laurel County and Whitley County. The areas where this (synthetic marijuana) will go are the paths of least resistance. I'm really fearful that if nothing's done, it will get worse," she said.

The ordinance must get a second approval before it becomes law. Another reading is set for Friday.

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Information from: The Times-Tribune, http://www.thetimestribune.com

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)