Washington ( CNN ) -- Seven midshipmen were expelled from the Naval Academy for using a drug called `` spice '' in violation of the Navy 's policies on illicit substance abuse , officials said . The midshipmen were `` separated from the Naval Academy '' as of Thursday , said Cmdr . Joe Carpenter , spokesman for the academy . `` While we will not go into the details of individual cases , the violations of the Navy 's substance abuse policies included use and possession , '' Carpenter said in a statement . `` These cases involved 'spice , ' which is considered a banned substance by the departments of Defense and Navy . '' `` Spice , '' also known as K2 , is a mixture of herbs and spices that typically is sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC , the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana , according to a Drug Enforcement Administration fact sheet . `` K2 is commonly purchased in head shops , tobacco shops , various retail outlets and over the Internet , '' the DEA said . `` It is often marketed as incense or 'fake weed . ' '' Its effects on the body are similar to that of marijuana . The midshipmen included juniors and sophomores , Carpenter said . The academy , located in Annapolis , Maryland , did not identify them . On whether they will have to repay the cost of their education , Carpenter said the decision is up to the Department of the Navy . `` Consistent with Navy policy , the Naval Academy has a zero tolerance policy regarding illicit drug use or possession , '' Carpenter said . The investigation is ongoing , he said . Other midshipmen told academy leadership about the allegations after the fall semester began , he said . In 2009 , 11 midshipmen were found to be in violation of the Navy 's substance abuse policy . In 2010 , four other midshipmen were found to be in violation . Spice is usually smoked in joints or pipes , according to the DEA , but some users make it into a tea . Its key ingredients are not regulated in the United States , but they have been banned or declared illegal in some European countries . The U.S. military has banned their use , the DEA noted . CNN 's Adam Levine contributed to this report .
' Spice ' is a brand of synthetic marijuana . The two midshipmen were sophomores and juniors . They were found to be in violation of the Navy 's substance abuse policies .