SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Just hours after Gov. Chris Gregoire announced a state ban on alcoholic energy drinks the Hamilton Market near Gonzaga University in Spokane sold 30 cases of Four Loko.

KREM reports some college students are stocking up before the ban takes effect next Thursday.

Gregoire said Wednesday that the caffeine-and-alcohol combination encourages excessive drinking and the fruit-flavored drinks in brightly colored cans are aimed at the young.

Nine Central Washington University students who drank Four Loko were hospitalized after a party.

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Information from: KREM-TV, http://www.krem.com/

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