An Oropi mother whose 16-year-old son became addicted to legal highs says she also knows whole families addicted and is warning many people could turn to the blackmarket to get their fix.
From midnight last night, Parliament made it illegal to sell, possess and supply psychoactive substances with heavy penalties for those who flout the law.
Maria McFarland, 41, said she was a user too, and doing so with the knowledge of her doctor.
"But I don't use a lot, a packet lasts me about two and half days, and I don't egg out on it or have the problems some people do because I'm a responsible user," she said.
Ms McFarland suffers a bi-polar condition and epilepsy but said since using synthetic cannabis had not suffered a seizure in eight months or a major depressive episode in more than a year.