DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth City Council member is proposing new ordinances that would regulate businesses that sell synthetic drugs, while punishing people who use them.

Sharla Gardner’s proposals come as the city wrestles with concerns about a downtown head shop.

The Duluth News Tribune reports one proposal would set fines for people caught using synthetics. The other proposal would allow businesses to apply for licenses to sell the products.

Police say they approve. The goal is to regulate the products since efforts to ban them have been largely ineffective.

Last Place on Earth owner Jim Carlson says the ordinances send a contradictory message, because they make the use of synthetics essentially illegal, but license the sale of the product. Carlson says the products he sells are legal.