MOVES to ban a drug that can be bought legally in Oxford city centre risks making the substance more attractive to young people, an MP warned last night.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Evan Harris said Government plans to outlaw Spice, a so-called cannabis substitute made using synthetic chemicals and herbs, could be “counter-productive”.

His comments followed a Home Office decision, subject to Parliamentary approval, to make Spice a Class B drug alongside cannabis by the end of the year.

It means possession of the substance would be punishable by up to five years in prison and anyone convicted of dealing the drug could face up to 14 years in jail.

Spice, which is banned in Germany, Austria and France, would be classified along with other so-called “legal highs” including GBL – linked to the death of a medical student – and BZP, an amphetamine replacement, the Home Office said.

It follows recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

Earlier this month, an Oxford Mail reporter purchased a pouch of the Gold Spirit version of Spice for £30 from Tiger Lily, in New Road, to show how easily it could be obtained in the city.

The US Drugs Enforcement Administration has described the mix, which has been linked to mood swings and paranoia, as “stealth marijuana”, while Oxford University professor Leslie Iversen also warned of its potential dangers.

A campaign targeting students and clubbers warning of the dangers of legal highs will be launched to coincide with the start of university term.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “In some cases, people can be ingesting dangerous industrial fluids or smoking chemicals that can be even more harmful than cannabis.

“Legal highs are an emerging threat, particularly to young people, and we have a duty to educate them about the dangers.”

Dr Harris said: “Prohibition is a blunt instrument and can be counter-productive. It glamorises and gives exclusive trade rights to criminals.

“Therefore prohibition should only be used on scientific evidence, which the Government has previously rejected in respect of cannabis and ecstasy.

“Their history doesn’t fill me with much hope that this step will improve matters, since education about the dangers is the key thing.”

But Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said it “must be right” to act on expert advice to ban such drugs.

He said: “Experience shows though that the law alone isn’t enough to stop some people trying such drugs, so I also welcome the awareness campaign the Home Office is launching and urge that this is given a high profile in the media and at Oxford venues attracting young people.”