7 states sue to halt Herbal Ecstacy sales, saying pills illegal

Seven states filed lawsuits Wednesday seeking to stop sales of Herbal
Ecstacy,which is billed as a safe alternative to the illegal drug Ecstacy.

The lawsuits allege that Herbal Ecstacy,made by Global World Media Corp. of
Venice Beach,is illegal because it has not been approved as a drug by the
food and Drug Administration.

Sean Shayan,president and founder of Global, said his product is a dietary
supplement, not a drug. He said no injuries or deaths have been linked to
the pills.

Herbal Ecstacy and similar brands were was banned in Florida after the 1996
death of a 20yearold New York student on spring break who took a similar
product, Ultimate Xphoria.

The states suing are Arizona, California, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota,
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The lawsuits seek not only to stop sales of the
product. They also seek civil penalties, court costs and refunds for
consumers.